It had been an error of judgment, a moment of lust and passion; merely a mistake.  After all, he was the King. God had appointed him and surely, after all that he had done in obedience to God, this one indiscretion was nothing.  As long as "the people" didn’t know and he could cover this up, then all would be okay.  Then, she was pregnant.  King David’s inner thoughts must have gone like this.  "Well think this through, I am King; I will call her husband home; but he was so noble he would not see his wife because the other men were still gone to war. So what, he died in battle.  Soldiers sometimes die in battle; particularly when sent to the front lines. That is not my fault just because I sent him to the front.  It was the enemy who killed him. I will marry her and I will look like the hero for making her a queen after she was left widowed." 

2 Samuel 12: "And the Lord sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.

2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:

3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.

4 And there came a traveler unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.

5 And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:

6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.

7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man."  Suddenly, David had no more excuses.  He now saw His own sin as that something so repulsive, vile, and an abomination to God.  Suddenly, David no longer believed that God chose him because he was so special himself that of course God would choose him.  Suddenly, David saw the darkness of his own covetous, self exalting heart that had been filled with arrogance and self pride.  That is when he went to God in prayer.

Psalm 51:16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Are we not much like David?  We make excuses for our sins.  We many times believe that just if we keep it hidden from the world, God won’t notice either.  Or, we say, not my fault.  Have you ever tried to blame God by saying, "You could have prevented this and you didn’t.  Why did you let this happen?"  Sometimes our sin even is a sin of omission and all the excuses of why we don’t have time to study His word and pray.  The point I want to make is that sin is sin.  Usually, the seed of sin begins with pride and then shoots forth in many directions.  It all comes back to a heart that is self-exalting and covetous.  We become very content in our self, like there was something special about me causing God to have chosen me; after all, "look at all I do for Him.  Don’t I deserve that He give me wonderful gifts for my service to Him"   Until my heart becomes broken over my own sin and that spirit of pride is crushed by the truth that I wasn’t chosen because of anything special within me; then I am not able to come before God to ask for mercy.  This is true at the point of salvation and also true throughout my life as a believer.  Once I have accepted Christ as my Savior, my salvation remains secure; but my joy in that salvation is dependent upon my day by day relationship with my heavenly Father.  Sin fractures that relationship, resulting in agony.  Much like a argument between a father and son can cause a great deal of sorrow and sometimes years of separation; yet, the son remains a son.   Much like the story of the prodigal son.  God knew before the earth was formed every time that I would fail Him.  He is not taken off guard or surprised; yet, He chose me in spite of all my flaws.  Sometimes, He allows me to fall that I might learn to walk upright.  He, alone knows what is needed to transform this heart of darkness into one that can be filled completely with His light.  He knows what is needed to remove all the chaff, all the blemishes, all the self centered desires, that I might see Him as my greatest treasure and in Him find fullness of Joy.   He never is the author of our sin.  But as in the case of Peter or Job, He gives permission for Satan to sift us.  Often, then we fail and that results in a broken and contrite heart.  So, what are the benefits that come from a broken spirit, a broken heart and a contrite heart?

1.  No more excuses.

2.  No more Pride

3.  No expectations

4.  No Conditions

5.  Anticipates no favor

Then, what is God’s answer when we come to Him in true repentance with a broken and contrite heart?

Psalm 34:17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRIEcammskA (Preview)

What do we do when we awaken to the fact that we have failed God?  Trust me those times will come.  If they haven’t for you, perhaps you have never been awakened to the reality of the depth of darkness that is within your own heart or you have not yet  realized the magnitude of righteousness which is God. This is declared in Isaiah 41:25-26, Romans 3:10, and Isaiah 64:5-7.  We have nothing that we can bring before Christ of our own works nor sacrifice that is sufficient to cover our guilt before God.  So when we fail do we just throw up our hands and say it doesn’t matter, I will just continue in sin because I am unable to do this thing called Christian living?  Never is that the answer either; because sin fractures the joy of our relationship with Christ.   David and Peter were all too aware of that fact.  Yet, why do we keep falling into these pits, many times the same one over and over? (Proverbs 24: 16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again). Yes, God recognizes our frailty as is demonstrated by that verse and also by Psalm 103: 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

So yes, the mercy of God covers our sins and yes, He understands we will fail; but that does not mean I just accept the fact that I am a "sinner" saved by grace and continue on in my sin.  That also is a misinterpretation of doctrine.  True, I cannot of my own volition perform or live out this Christian life; but I can through Christ and IN Christ be daily transformed more and more into His likeness. I would suggest you go back to the previous series entitled Living in Christ and the series Glory to Glory for greater insight.  In this series, I want to try to bring out some practical steps to help you in this Pilgrimage Journey as Christians.  These principles took me a lifetime thus far to learn with many a tearful heart break along the way.  Many times our failures are a result of misinterpreting doctrine or having been taught wrong doctrine from the beginning. So first, let’s look at some of the truths we must embrace or find ourselves in great agony of spirit.

1. What is it to be a Christian?  The word means Christ like.  But I just said, there is nothing in my human heart that can ever be Christ like.  This covetous, self exalting heart is always focused on "me".  The world would even tell us that we must focus upon ourselves and who we are.  The miraculous thing is that Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sin and my unrighteousness so that IN Christ I become a new creature.  That is I die to self that He might reign ruler over my regenerate heart.  He has made the great exchange by taking on my filthy rags of sin and then clothing me with His righteousness.  Yet so often I don’t believe this and try to do things on my own, my way.  My self-exalting heart wants to prove that I am worthy of this gift; yet, it was a gift that I cannot earn.  What makes me think that God needs anything from me? Acts 17: "24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;".  I am special only because He chose me.  All my discipleship (repentance, obedience, service action, praying is acceptable only because I am "in Christ."  Thus, I have no source of pride nor despairing within my self. My only hope is knowing who I am IN Christ and denouncing who I am without Him.  I have no righteousness of my own; but only a righteousness than He gives to me.  I must always keep focus of this and focus upon Him so that He might live out that life through me.

2.  Why do I seek Christ?  Do I truly see God as worthy of my praise, even if He gave me nothing in return?  Many get tangled up in this and many who think they are Christians have never come to a saving knowledge of Christ.  Some go forward in a church to "turn over a new leaf"; but do not recognize that they cannot earn God’s grace.  Some go forward to "avoid hell"; but have no repentant heart. Some go forward to merely gain the prestige of being the part of a church thinking it makes them a better person or more prestigious in the community.  Some come in hopes of all the gifts God may give them like a Santa Claus God. These often are seasonal and only go through the motion when they are in need of something and forget God when things are going well.  Another group, come forward to "accept Christ"; but believe He is not enough and that their salvation is dependent upon their works. They go through the motion of working their way into heaven, either being filled with pride of their own accomplishments rather than giving the Glory to Christ or fall to the wayside when they fail thinking it all hopeless. Salvation comes only when we have come to the end of who we are, recognizing that we have nothing to bring to the foot of the cross, no bargaining chip to gain God’s favor, and in true repentance lay our sins at the foot of the cross.  We must recognize our own unworthiness.  We must though dimly see God as Glorious, beautiful and worthy of praise.  Only then, do we seek after Him. Only then do we truly desire to know Him as our greatest treasure and lay aside all other desires to follow Him. 

The first step toward knowing what to do when you have failed is recognizing if you truly know the truth of the gospel of Christ. Second you must come before God with a broken and contrite heart which we will look at more fully tomorrow.  Thirdly, you must walk through the steps of true repentance. 

Glory to Glory
Glory to Glory, my life now defined
Boughten, redeemed by Your love divine
Transforming my life by Your joy sublime
Laying my life down, I give you my time
To seek your full Glory, all else I resign.

Undeserving I be, now my sins You erase
Let me lay down my life for my cross to embrace
What else could I seek but Your glorious face
Right there beside me each step of this race
It is Your joy, Your peace, Your mercy, Your grace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5L44RmHY9s

In this world we do face valleys dark at times or we see a loved one hurting and just hope that we might ease their burden.  Yet, if it is those valleys that bring us closer to God; then wouldn’t every tear be worth the joy we find in knowing Him? 

C.S.Lewis is quoted as saying,

“Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

John 16: 19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?

20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

There was a time in which within a few years, I had been widowed; followed by cancer, ulcerative colitis, financial ruin, surgeries, pain, loneliness, with what seemed no relief from the onslaught of problems.  It was those times that the book "Mountaintop Experiences in the Valley" was born; although, later I expanded it before it was released.  The following poem I wrote as the theme poem for that book.  I hope it brings you comfort through whatever trial you may be facing today.  Remember this, God loves you and He has a perfect plan to bring you into a place of perfect joy and only He knows how all the moments of sorrow work together to prepare your heart to receive His gift of love, joy, hope and peace in the center of this chaotic world in which we live. I can tell you that I would walk every mile of sorrow and shed every tear again, for the sake of knowing Christ Jesus as my greatest treasure, my companion, my hope, and my love.  As Paul had learned and wrote in Philippians 3: "8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"

GIVE ME THIS VALLEY

I cried, Lord, please help me climb

This mountain so sublime

Full of health and wealth and fame

Surely there I’d praise your name

But I heard a whispering voice

Said, for you that’s not my choice

I want you in this valley deep

Where your joy my heart will keep

Lord, you can take that mountain high

And let me stay here by your side

In this valley filled with pain

Where I know you know my name

Give me a life where I might live

Dependent on the Grace you give

I’d rather be here by your side

Than on that great mountainside

Give me the faith and hope that’s yours

As Your spirit through me pours

To a world in need of you

Give me strength for them to view

Let me show the Glory of Your Hope

Far from that slippery slope

In the valley where you stand

Let me walk and hold Your hand

Though the Valley may be dark

You’re the light, my precious spark

You are all I need to know

Let me walk now here below

Give me the love of Your great smile

That casts aside my selfish guile

Remove thoughts of self pity

Your heart to see more clearly

You are the only one I need

For my soul you have freed

By the valley that You walked

To the cross where you were mocked

So let me walk this valley too

Where there your heart I knew

Keep your mountains filled with pride

Let me stay here at Your side.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNv4_Y93slI (Preview)

Once upon a time there was a young girl who with all the fears and doubts that sometimes comes in wondering whether there could ever be someone who would love her.  She longed for love, hoped for love; yet, when she looked in the mirror she could see all of the blemishes and felt herself comely and unworthy of love.  A Prince came and  standing upon a hill in the distance, would sing to her a love song.  Her heart would leap for joy to hear His voice, she would long to see Him there on the hill and would come to the meadow often in hopes to see His face and hear His love song.  She longed to know more of Him; yet, she was afraid that if He were to look closely He would see the scars and the dark blotches that covered her, He would see the filthy rags that she wore as a slave and He would then reject her.  Her fear of His rejection caused her to search for other loves which never filled her heart with joy; indeed, at times they caused her greater pain as she felt rejected, abused.  So she would return to the meadow and Her prince again would arrive and sing to her a love song.  He wooed her heart and she longed to be with Him.  He told her of the price He must pay to free her from her slavery and that He must go away for a while; but she would have His love letters to remind her of Him and He would send one who would guide her, teach her of her beloved, would gently cleanse away all the blemishes and dark blotches so that she would be the spotless bride when He returned as her bridegroom.  With exuberant joy, with hope, and with great anticipation, she awaits the return of Her Beloved Prince.  Her love for Him so fills her that she finds that she must tell everyone she meets about her true love.  She wants everyone to know who He is.  She never ceases to be amazed by the depth of His love for her.  He loved her in her most unlovely state.  He patiently waited when she searched after other loves which were only counterfeit.  He wooed her.  He was willing to pay the price for her release from slavery.  Then, He sent her a helper to prepare her for the wedding day to come when she will see her Beloved face to face in all His Glory, seated on His throne as she bows to kiss the feet of her beloved while her tears of joy wash His feet.  That girl was I and that Prince is Jesus Christ, my beloved Savior.  I will forever be amazed that He chose me. 

In 2 Corinthians 11:2, Matthew 9, and Matthew 25 we may note the reference to Christ as the bridegroom and we the believers as the bride; yet, there is no more graphic picture of the love of Christ for His Bride than that demonstrated in the "Song of Solomon".   There are two interpretations of the book.  First, it is the expression of pure marital love as ordained of God in creation exalting the holiness of marriage as God ordained.  Yet, there is a second and much more profound interpretation as this is symbolic of the love story of Christ (the Bridegroom) for His Church (the Bride). 

Song of Solomon 2: (AMP)

10 My beloved speaks and says to me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

11 For, behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone.

12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing [of birds] has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

13 The fig tree puts forth and ripens her green figs, and the vines are in blossom and give forth their fragrance. [b]Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

14 [So I went with him, and when we were climbing the rocky steps up the hillside, my beloved shepherd said to me] O my dove, [while you are here] in the seclusion of the clefts in the solid rock, in the sheltered and secret place of the cliff, let me see your face, [c]let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.

15 [My heart was touched and I fervently sang to him my desire] Take for us the foxes, the [d]little foxes that spoil the vineyards [of our love], for our vineyards are in blossom.

16 [She said distinctly] My beloved is mine and I am his! He pastures his flocks among the lilies.

17 [Then, longingly addressing her absent shepherd, she cried] Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away, return hastily, O my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young hart as you cover the mountains [which separate us].

Footnotes:

1. Song of Solomon 2:6 Do I have a constant sense of my Shepherd’s presence, regardless of my surroundings?
2. Song of Solomon 2:13 Do I take time to meet my Good Shepherd each day, letting Him tell me of His love, and cheering His heart with my interest in Him?
3. Song of Solomon 2:14 Do I realize that my voice lifted in praise and song is sweet to Him, or do I withhold it?
4. Song of Solomon 2:15 What is my greatest concern, the thing about which most of all I want Christ’s help? When He asks to hear my voice, what do I tell Him?

"Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified^® Bible,

Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)

So I would ask of you the same 4 questions listed in the footnotes of the Amplified Bible as listed above to which I would add?

Have you met my Beloved Prince?

Have you realized that He is standing on the hill, singing His love song over you, and asking you be His?

Have you fallen completely in love with Him and seek Him as your greatest treasure?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=kbFEWYFJfOo&feature=endscreen

So often when we are facing storms we tend to allow fear and worry to enter our minds.  We look at our bank account and the ever increasing debts, wondering how long until total financial ruin overtakes us.  We gaze into the eyes of a loved one dying an agonizing death and wonder why?  A Police Officer goes out to face another night of duty on a salary that cannot feed his family only to this time face being shot and killed by the same criminal he had arrested 5 times and the justice system had released all 5 times before, and we cry out why? The people we most trusted take a knife of accusations driving the pain deep within our hearts.  We turn on the news and see violence, war, collapsing markets, pain, suffering and chaos with fear entering our hearts and we wonder if all that we have is hopelessness blended with despair.  In the darkness of the night we cry out for help and there a soft voice may whisper a command for the storm to cease, while a comforting blanket of peace covers our soul allowing hope to rise once more.  We, who know that we are the redeemed because of the finished work of Christ, can rest assured that if we call His name; He is there to save us.  Look at these verses from the Psalms of David:

Psalm 34:

17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Psalm 145: 18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

20 The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.

21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

You may say, I have cried to Him and the storm is still raging around me, now what?  Yes, dear friend, sometimes it appears so; but I have learned through many violent storms that God was right there in the midst protecting, guiding, and comforting me with every inch of the way.  I would never lie to you and try to say that fear never enters my heart.  I would never say that sorrows, frustrations, angers, and pangs of bitterness resulting from false accusations do not press down upon me at times.  Yet, I will say; they have no place remaining in my heart or my mind.  I have learned that when they appear to be taking hold of me, I need to perform these three simple acts.

1.  Speak His Name.  For there is power in the name of Yahweh, My LORD–the Great I am.

2.  I Must Remember who My Father is.  He is Jehovah Jireh (My Provider), Jehovah Nissi (My banner of Victory), Jehovah Rapha (My healer), Jehovah Rohi (My shepherd), Jehovah Shalom (My Peace), Jehovah Tsidkenu (Provider of My Righteousness), Jehovah Shammah (Present with Me), Jehovah Mekoddishkem (My Sanctifier), El Olam (Everlasting God), El Shaddai (Almighty God)—The Omnipotent, Omniscient, the Great I am who desires the best for me and lavishes upon me His love, His joy found only IN HIM.

3.  Praise God for who He is because even when you cannot see or understand His plan, you can assuredly trust His heart.

Remember these steps every time fear tries to grip your heart, sorrow brings you to tears, or betrayal tries to plant a seed of bitterness and you will see how God turns your pain into joy while the watching world become amazed as they receive a glimpse of the Glory of God through the shining face of joy, hope displayed in the midst of great tragedy.  Perhaps your trials will lead someone to Christ and is there any pain too great to bare for the salvation of one soul?  This entire lifetime is but a second compared to eternity.  Keep your eyes fixed upon Jesus, the author and the finisher of your faith.

Psalm 16: 7 I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StjU16a5BFY (Preview)