New beginnings don’t just happen when we turn our calendars to January. Nor are new beginnings limited to once in a lifetime. King David experienced many new beginnings in his life, from shepherd to annoyed one, to giant slayer, to fugitive, to king, to psalmist and forefather of Jesus.
There is a common thread in David’s new beginnings. He loved God with all his heart. He knew God and God knew his heart. No different than the rest of us, in the flesh, David sinned bigly, including adultery and murder. But his story didn’t end there. God sent Nathan to be His agent of change in David’s life.
King David was “a man after God’s own heart.” Confronted by Nathan with his sin, David does not bob and weave. He shows his true heart. “Against God and God alone have I sinned.” David’s repentance was full, heartfelt, and accepted by God.
In Psalm 51 we see more of David’s repentant heart:
“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.” Psalm 51:10-13 NIV
Notice that David doesn’t just repent of his sin. He seeks God’s presence and pledges to share God’s ways with others. This is akin to The Great Commission assigned by Jesus to His disciples.
#newbeginnings