Date: 3/30/2023
<br>Author: Mike Kelley
<br>Title: Mike's Minute
<br><br>Here is the difference between Saul and David.  From our viewpoint, Saul’s sin was not nearly as weighty as David’s sin.  However, Saul did not have the kind of heart that was stayed on God.  Saul was concerned about politics, expediency, honor and glory, and establishing a dynasty.  David was concerned about God - and his relationship with Him.  Because of the difference in their hearts, Saul received no assurance of forgiveness; David did.  <br>When our lives have gotten out of control because of sin, there is nothing we need more than the assurance that God can and will forgive us if we return to Him.  That can give us hope and strength.  At the same time, it may seem hard to believe God will forgive us.  If that is your situation, you need to ask yourself: “Is my life in worse shape than David’s, a life that was marred by covetousness, adultery, lying, and murder?”  If God can forgive David, He can forgive you!<br>This message is not confined to the Old Testament.  In Romans 4:6-8, Paul quoted David’s words from Psalm 32:1,2, which celebrate God’s forgiveness.  David said, in effect, “I know it’s true because it happened to me!” By citing this psalm, Paul was saying, “It’s still true.”<br>It has been my privilege through the years to preach for congregations that had deep convictions about right and wrong in both doctrinal and moral areas.  It thrills me to say that those same congregations believed in the grace and mercy of God, were loving and forgiving when people acknowledged their sins and turned to the Lord.  <br>It is easy for congregations that take a stand to get the reputation for being hard-nosed, unloving, and judgmental - who could never accept a sinner in their midst lest it mar their perfection.  I hope it will not shock you when I tell you that we are all fellow-strugglers.  Some struggle with this problem and some with that (Jas. 1:14).  We strive to challenge every man to do exactly what God says, because we believe God would want it no other way (Mt. 5:48; 7:21-23); but we acknowledge our imperfections.  When we sin, we repent and confess our sin and ask God’s forgiveness (1 Jn. 1:9), and we believe He gives it to us.  Our hope is not in our perfection but in the grace and mercy of God.  We are all fellow-strugglers.  We strive to lift each other up, comfort each other, and strengthen each other. <br><br>       David Roper, Truth for Today Commentary,                                          Romans, pgs. 313-314<br>