In Psalms, chapter fifty-one, verse twelve, the Lord gives David the joy of salvation but grasps the following of David’s life. The scripture teaches us that we will reap what we sow: if we sow to please the Spirit, we will reap life from the Spirit; if we sow in the flesh, we will reap corruption from the flesh, as in Galatians six, verses seven through eight. As a result of David’s sin, he suffered lifelong consequences in his own life and kingdom, as in Second Samuel twelve, verses one to fourteen. The dreadful consequences of sin that David experienced, even after his sincere confession and repentance, should instill in all God’s children a holy fear of deliberately sinning and thereby disregarding the redemption provided for us in Jesus Christ.
Although David was restored, his reputation was forever blemished. The effects of his sin continued throughout the rest of his life and family history. David’s experience after receiving forgiveness and restored is a sober lesson for those who casually treat sin as something God forgives and forgets. The main thing to remember is the joy of salvation is pleasing God, who is in the Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. The Son of God is from the Father.
The joy of salvation is having God in our lives and knowing that He is with us no matter what we face. However, there will be times of turmoil, confusion, hardship, disappointment, betrayal, suffering, and pain coming from all sources, including strangers, neighbors, friends, relatives, loved ones, and family. Jesus Christ had this experience during his journey here on earth, written in the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Believers who accept salvation and have Jesus living within us should expect to experience some of these things.
Therefore, if we fail to overcome some of these experiences, we should ask the Lord to help us, give us strength, and use the Word of God to resist reacting the wrong way or doing the wrong thing when these circumstances come to try us and test our faith. Jesus held His peace during times of suffering, dealing with the scribes and Pharisees, who were religious people and did not let them get Him to sin against His Father. Believers who love God should pray, “Lord, I love you. Please help me not to fail you during these situations.”