David is one of the heroes of faith in the Old Testament. He was appointed and chosen by God as King and described as a “man after God’s own heart”. It would be easy to assume with these credentials, that David would have an impeccable service record. But he didn’t; not even close! I won’t recall all his transgressions, but like many of us, he probably did. Sin stains. It leaves the marks of shame and guilt, and haunts our memory with regret and our conscience with angst. Later in life, David prays and asks the Lord not to remember his sins, but according to God’s goodness, to remember him. No telling how many animals David sacrificed to try and rid his conscience of sin, only to find a temporary reprieve until the next time. The book of Hebrews tells us that those offerings never removed sin but only reminded of it.
But we have it so much better! It’s not about our offering to God, but His offering for us! See, what David was after…we have! Because of the finished work of Christ, we are not just after God’s own heart, we have it. We don’t have to wonder if God remembers our sins, He doesn’t…but He does look at our heart. What a beautiful picture of the goodness of God, that He won’t remember your sins ever again but He will always remember you! You are loved dear child by a faithful Father!
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; According to Your lovingkindness remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD.