David's grief over his sin was bitter. Its effects were visible upon his whole body. His bones ached like those of an old man. His mouth was parched like summer drought. He could find no remedy until he made full confession before the throne of heavenly grace.

He tells us that for a time he kept silent, and his heart filled more and more with grief. Like a mountain lake with its outlet dammed up, his soul swelled with torrents of sorrow. He made excuses. He tried to distract himself. But it was all useless. Like an infected wound, his anguish grew worse and worse. And because he refused to use the lancet of confession, his spirit was full of torment and found no rest.

Finally it came to this: either return to God in humble repentance or die. So he rushed to the mercy seat and unrolled the whole record of his sins before the all-seeing God, confessing all the evil of his ways. You can read his words in Psalm 51 and the other psalms of repentance.

And when he did this simple thing—so simple, yet so hard for human pride—he immediately received the sign of divine forgiveness. The bones that had been crushed began to rejoice. He came out of his place of prayer singing about the blessing of the person whose transgression is forgiven.

See the value of grace-wrought confession of sin! It is priceless! For in every case where there is genuine, grace-produced confession, mercy is freely given. Not because our repentance earns mercy, but for Christ's sake.

Blessed be God! There is always healing for the broken heart! The fountain is always flowing to cleanse us from our sins. Truly, Lord, you are a God ready to pardon! Therefore we will confess our sins.