Reformation & Repentance

Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” – II Samuel 12:13

David was a man after God’s own heart.  That was the description when he was chosen as the second king of Israel. (I Samuel 16)  He showed incredible courage in the face of the giant, Goliath. (I Samuel 17)  He was compelling enough that people were willing to follow him into battle.  His courage and heart were focused on God’s strength and God’s presence.  But David wasn’t perfect.  He made some terrible personal choices and had an ugly soap-opera style family life.

David gave in to temptation and killed his friend and general, Uriah the Hittite, in order to hide his act of adultery with Uriah’s wife.  The prophet, Nathan, confronted him, bringing him face to face with his sinfulness. (II Samuel 11 & 12)  Rather than being angry with Nathan for pointing out his failure, David repented.  He was reformed by his repentance.  His behavior changed.  His attitude changed.  His response to God can be seen in Psalm 51.

This Sunday, we celebrate Reformation Sunday.  On October 31, 1517, the priest and scholar, Martin Luther, approached the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, and nailed a piece of paper to it containing the 95 revolutionary opinions that would begin the Protestant Reformation.  Luther’s 95 theses were never intended to start a new church.  They were an attempt to reform the church he loved.  His desire and hope was that the church would have the spirit of David; repent and reform.  Eventually, (hundreds of years later in some cases) the catholic church did adopt the majority of Luther’s reforms.  Churches can change.  People can change.  Having a heart after God’s own, a willingness to face our failure, repent and reform, are essential to a strong and healthy life of faith.  I pray you will join us in worship this week as we seek after God’s heart and experience the joy of repentance and reformation.

This week’s question: Do I believe that God can still love and forgive people who make terrible choices?

The Psalmist asserts that all have gone astray, fleeing from the shepherd who longs to gather us and heal our brokenness. Let us take a moment to return to God, admitting our failings and holding close to the understanding that God longs to gather us in.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Holy God, we must confess that we are led off your way into paths marked by our distorted passions: greed, lust, and our hunger for power. We confess that once we follow our passions, it is easier to continue down these treacherous paths rather than returning to you once again. Give us the strength to turn back to your Way. Transform us once again by your saving grace that we might pursue your Son our Lord with all our heart, mind and soul, and so be renewed into the fullness of life that you have promised us. We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

God assures us: No one has wandered so far down other paths that God cannot find them. No one is beyond God’s love or reach. Friends remember this: It is through the life, death and resurrection of Christ that we are forgiven. Let us rejoice and give God Glory!