"THY SIN SHALL FIND THEE OUT!" David first committed adultery, then made Uriah drunk, then planned his murder, then ascribed it to divine providence, and feigned innocence until at length he is aroused from his self deception by God's prophet Nathan. Then in deepest contrition of heart, he confesses his transgressions unto the Lord. His confession is preceded by sincere conviction of conscience, attended with broken hearted supplication, and crowned with God's forgiveness: "The Lord hath put away thy sin." Sin appears before God making out a case against the sinner. The Advocate appears also pleading for mercy. He prevails and God pardons the grievous offender. His sin is so forgiven as to be forgotten. This is the nature of God's mercy. Observe, the man that frankly and honestly confesses his sins, will find that God fully and freely pardons. If God has forgiven you, you ought often to place your sins before your face to humble you, to preserve you from turning again to folly, and to fire you with gratitude and love. So did David who says, "My sin is ever before me." Pardoned and repentant sinners: be always sorry for sin, afraid of sin, and watchful against sin!

For Meditation:
Jesus, author of contrition,
Giver Thou of pardon art;
Wound me, O my kind physician,
Break, and then bind up my heart.