Day 16: Our Judge

of The Heart of God: Through David’s Eyes

Below is Day Sixteen of the study, but there is an introduction to check out which gives context and sets the tone, and previous weeks to look at below. If you would like the full content all in one place, this book is now available for purchase on Amazon. 

Week 1 - He Longs for Us to Know Who We Are 

Week 2 - He Longs for Us to Respond

Week 3 - He Longs for Us to Know Him

Day 15: Psalm 51

Day 16: Our Judge

At the beginning of Psalm 51, David begs God for mercy and compassion due to his awareness of the gravity of his sinful choices. David feels remorse and asks God to not give him what he deserves. 

You see, David understood one of God’s roles in his life is to be his judge. The way David measured his own value was completely hinged on the way God viewed him. He was in constant pursuit of being right with God, of restoring his relationship with God, and he was hyper aware of the ways that he fell short and sinned against God. Due to his posture of repentance, it is unsurprising that David began this psalm with humility, direct ownership, and confession. 

Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
    blot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity
    and cleanse me from my sin. (Psalm 51:1-2)

David was begging God not to respond to his sin in the way he deserved. Not only was he aware that he would lose his son, he also believed he should die - he had said those exact words to Nathan in 2 Samuel 12:5: “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die!”  As the Psalm continues, David extends his confession, but his words take on a more intense focus on the One he disobeyed: God. 

For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge. (Psalm 51:3-4)

Despite his understanding that he should die, David also has heard Nathan declare that he would not die because he was bold to own his sin, and he deeply felt remorse for his choices. David trusted God to make the fair decision that suited his long-term best interest, regardless of if he really wanted the consequences of his actions. 

When we consider God as our judge, we often default to considering either lenient or punitive judges who have their own agenda at heart. We consider the political and cultural implications of the decisions made by judges, so there may be a hesitancy to trust God’s judgment. What we cannot forget is who God is rooting for, who He wants to see restored.

The need to follow through on the consequences that we require is not something God takes delight in. He uses consequences to shape us and help us adjust our behaviors to what our hearts desire, especially when we lose sight of Him. At times, when we long to follow Him, we face more accountability for our own benefit and growth. 

David received loving accountability offered as a merciful gift from an intentional and compassionate God. Perhaps by immersing ourselves in this language, we will be able to see the way God judges us as the thoughtful act of love that it is. 

1. David sees God as the ultimate judge of his value. In what ways do you see God as your judge? 

2. When you read the words of confession from David, what is your reaction to his plea for mercy and grace? 

3. Have you ever thought of your sin actually being directly against God alone? 

4. In what ways has God been merciful to you in His judgment of you? 

Reflection

Ask God to display the ways He has intervened in your life and displayed His mercy. Sit in awareness of the mercy He displays. Consider setting a timer for the amount of time you want to ponder His mercy and grace for you specifically.

An excerpt of The Heart of God: Through David’s Eyes by Jill Ng