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Upcoming Sermons & Devotional Message
February Sermons 2026
2/18 - Ash Wednesday Service
The Reason
Matthew 18:11
2/22 - Jerusalem
Isaiah 45:20-25 Matthew 20:18-19
Devotional Message : These will change 1-2 times a week. Stop by often to read the new message.
Some Thoughts on the Work of Guilt and Forgiveness
Today, we consider the psalm written by King David after being confronted and having confessed the sin(s) he committed with Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba. By the time the prophet Nathan was involved, David had married Bathsheba in an attempt to cover up his actions. He had broken four of the ten commandments—coveting another man’s wife, adultery, murder, and bearing false witness. His life was a train wreck.
I believe Nathan’s words, “You are the man…” broke David’s heart—a heart that sin had hardened. There was no way to hide what he’d done. In Psalm 51:3, David lamented:
“I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.” (Psalm 51:3)
Whenever David looked in the mirror, he saw an adulterous murderer looking back at him. He was a very important person who had accomplished more than most, but he didn’t like himself. And someone can’t be happy unless he or she is happy with himself or herself.
Many individuals have done such terrible things, and many wish they’d never been born. Some, like Judas, even killed themselves due to the pain of their guilt (Matthew 27:5). But the purpose of guilt isn’t to make us hate ourselves—its purpose is to lead us to the One who can wash away our guilt and give us glorious futures. David continues:
“Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.” (Psalm 51:4)
David sinned against Bathsheba in the act of adultery and against her husband by arranging his death. But David sinned even greater against God than he sinned against either of these two. Some would contend that sin is okay if no one gets hurt, but that is never the case. Sin always hurts the heart of God more than anyone else.
As a result, our forgiveness is never complete until we’re forgiven by God. We should indeed seek forgiveness from those we’ve offended. But even if the whole world forgives us, we’re never completely forgiven until we’re forgiven by the God who made us.
Are you feeling the weight of guilt? Allow it to do its work and seek forgiveness, my friends!