“I have sinned greatly”

2 Samuel 24:10

This scares me, and it should scare you…

David confesses here that he had sinned, he had “sinned greatly”.  His confession to God is a good example to us.  But this also makes me fear, when I realize that David was about 70 years old when he “sinned greatly”!

A few things come to my mind:

1. No one is ever too old, or “spiritually mature”, not to sin “greatly”.
2. God can forgive our sin.
3. People will still suffer for our sin!  70,000 men died because David “sinned greatly”!
4. Maybe I should see that any sin I commit is a great sin against God!

Maybe the next time I tell a “little lie”, or hold a grudge, or envy what someone else has, or decide to be lazy… or bitter… maybe I should say, “I have sinned greatly”… maybe… maybe, and maybe if not for my sake, then at least for the sake of those around me? 

Or maybe, at least for Christ’s sake?  And if it doesn’t really matter to me, shouldn’t that concern me?

“And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.” 2 Samuel 24:10