We like to think the reason God was so merciful to
David for his sin with Bathsheba was that David repented. Really, the reason God
was so merciful was that God is love. David was a man (yes, a man after God’s
heart, but still), a man that fell into sexual temptation and murder. In his
abundant love, God, in the words of David, “forgave the guilt of my sin.” (Psalm
32:5b NIV) God took away not only the act of adultery and murder but also the
guilt of both. Doesn’t God do the same for each of us?

As much as God is a stern father, he is always an
abiding friend. In no way did David’s sin take away his long-term relationship
with God as Saul’s did. Does God hold sins against you? Do you hold any against
yourself? In Romans 8, Paul asks, “Who will bring any charge against those whom
God has chosen?” God, who justifies, defends you though you don’t deserve it.
Don’t even try to condemn yourself when he is defending you.