Here is majesty in misery: a king in penitence: a monarch of the earth at the footstool of mercy. David, as a miserable sinner, polluted with the complicated crimes of adultery and murder, is here ascribing honor to the blood of the Lamb by the pleading of faith. Had you now asked David what he thought of the pleasures of sin? he would have read the most affecting lecture on its exceeding sinfulness, and the terror and horror it brought upon his spirit. Though invested with the government of a kingdom, yet he could not command away its terrors–from his mind, its burden from his conscience, or its pollution from his soul. He now found the words of his son fully verified, "Whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him." Eccles. 10:8. He had broken through the hedge of God's law, and that old serpent who tempted him, now stings and torments him.
But when Nathan had convinced David of his transgressions, so that he cried out, "I have sinned," did not the prophet add, "The Lord also hath put away thy sin!" 2 Sam. 12:13. Yes. Nevertheless, this penitential psalm was written after this. Hence we learn that, though sin is put away by the Lord Jesus in the court of heaven, yet the poor sinner may not enjoy the comfort of its removal from his own conscience. There may be true faith in the blood of the Lamb, that it cleanses from all sin, and yet the soul be left to cry out under the pollution of sin; for a truly regenerate soul is as much concerned to be cleansed from the pollution of sin as to be comforted with pardon for sin.
True faith manifests itself in the heart, by its turning away from every other ground of deliverance, and turning to that blessed fountain opened for sin and uncleanness. Not my tears of repentance, but thy precious blood, O Lamb of God, can wash me. Precious word! "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin." 1 John 1:7. Faith ascribes the utmost efficacy to it, "Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." I shall be as free and as fair from the least stain of sin in God's sight, as if I had never sinned: "without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing." Eph. 5:27.
Hence as you value the sense of God's love and peace of conscience, beware of sin. If you sin, flee instantly to the blood of the Lamb to be cleansed, and to no other remedy. Believe, watch and pray. No power can forgive sin, or cleanse from it, but the Lord, against whom it is committed. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9.
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