Testimonials
"I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people." Psalms 35:18
"Praise the Lord for His work in and through you!!! We are enjoying and growing in the "Soldiers of the Sanctuary" series..."
- Constance, Tennessee
"Calvery greetings may reach to you as many as the sea sand. Thank you very much Pr. John Skeete. On behalf of the Fiwagoh Mission Oprhanage Ministries, I thank Our God for this great blessing He sent to us through you and the Sanctuary lessons. They were amazing and we are teaching other pupils and even church members. We will continue to pray for you and your wife and the whole ministry..."
- Joshua, Nairobi Kenya "Thank you for your good work. I will be praying for your progress..."
- Samuel, Nairobi Kenya "Meeting the needs of body, mind, and spirit is so important in these days with diseases, drugs and immorality pounding the human species. I am thankful you are doing your part to make a positive difference..."
- Sylvia, Michigan
"I really appreciate what you all were able to do to help me, may God continue to bless you..."
- Tee, California
"Thank you so much. Power packed presentation. I learned so much. What I will focus on is to die to self daily. I want Jesus & God to be King of my life, my heart, my mind...I need to get His character, seek His face, so it may reflect in me...All glory to the Lamb & to the Father! And thank you for all your diligent study! Keep shining & showing His character!
- Theresa, Wisconsin
The Sinner and Forgiveness
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered." Psalm 32:1
Psalm 51 is universally declared as the most eloquent of the penitential psalms. It is the gospel in a nutshell. In the 1500s, one writer referred to it as the brightest gem in the whole book, and [it] contains instruction so large, and doctrine so precious, that the tongue of angels could not do justice to the full development. We should read and study it reverently, with an open mind,
and with a broken and contrite heart (v. 17).
Psalm 51 was written by David in connection with his repentance over his sin with Bathsheba after being confronted by Nathan the prophet. As one reads it, many parallels with the spiritual journey of David are obvious. He lusted after Bathsheba, committed sexual immorality with her, and then had her husband killed in order to cover up his sin and take Bathsheba for his wife.
Nathan confronted David with his sin several months later. He confessed his guilt, repented, and was forgiven by God. The steps which David traveled from sin to salvation are steps which are common in the spiritual journey of others. They are:
1. The burden and conviction of sin (v. 3).
2. Penitence and repentance (vv. 16, 17).
3. Confession of sin (vv. 4, 5).
4. An appeal for mercy and forgiveness (vv. 1, 2, 7-12, 14a).
5. The joy of salvation and forgiveness (vv. 8a, 13, 14b, 15).
David had lived with his sin for almost a year. He thought no one knew about it. But when Nathan the prophet confronted him with his sin, David realized how ugly, detestable, and repulsive his deeds were. Maybe Davids conscience
had bothered him more than we realize. The memory of past misdeeds can haunt a person and make life miserable. As David himself wrote: "When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah." Psalm 32:3, 4
The guilt and burden of sin for David were so unbearable that he compared the feeling to that of his bones being broken (v. 8). Guilt can hurt and be as painful as actual physical injuries. Most preachers and counselors have talked with people who sit and cry over tragic mistakes they have made. They are yearning for relief. Sin hurts!
Penitance for Sin
The only proper way to deal with the guilt of sin is to humble ourselves and become truly penitent. If we want to approach God and find forgiveness, we must do so with a contrite heart. A ritualistic obedience will not properly deal with the guilt of sin. David knew that sacrifices and burnt offerings would not atone for his sins of murder and adultery. He needed to repent. He needed to give God the sacrifice of a broken spirit.
Confession of Sin
David makes no excuses for his sins. He confesses them. He does not make a vague confession, saying, If I have done anything wrong. . . He does not call his sin a slip, a mistake in judgment, or a questionable action. His statement is
not a half-excusing whine from a heart of stone. David takes complete responsibility for what he did. Because his confession is so forthright, it was
pleasing to God. Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned. He had sinned against Uriah the Hittite, against Bathsheba, and against society. To say that he had sinned against God and God only was an overstatement that goes to the heart of the matter. David was saying that he had offended the will of God. He had not merely offended cultural niceties of society. He had broken Gods
law and sinned against God Himself.
An Appeal for Forgiveness of Sin
After confessing his sin, David appeals to God to have mercy on him and forgive him of his wrongdoing. He piles one metaphor on top of another in a passionate appeal to God. He asks God to be gracious, blot out his sin, wash him thoroughly, and purge him with hyssop, maybe as a leper must be purged. He asks God to wash him as white as snow and to mend the bones
which Thou hast broken. He again asks God to blot out his iniquities. Davids condition is so in need of mercy that he needs a fresh start, that is, he needs a clean heart created in him. He begs God not to take away His Holy Spirit as He did with King Saul (1 Samuel 13:14; 15:23; 16:14; 18:12; 28:15). He asks God to restore him and to deliver him.
Forgiveness of Sin
Since David was sincere in his penitence and since he confessed his sin to God and begged for forgiveness, God forgave him. David felt the joy of salvation and shared the goodness of God with others. As he wrote elsewhere: "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgivben, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile." Psalm 32:1, 2
Conclusion
The process of forgiveness for a child of God who sins can be seen in Psalm 51. We must be convicted of our sin, be penitent, confess our sin to God, and appeal to God for forgiveness. God will then renew our joy of salvation.
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