Kirk's Second Letter to David Jan 20, 2001

"God resist the proud but gives grace to the humble." "He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion."

Dear David,

During the last few weeks since I sent you my letter entreating you to repent I have been praying for a break through in your life. Through the absence of a response from you it appears that you are apathetic to repent and show evident clearing of yourself in all these matters. Please give ear to this entreaty. The purpose of this letter is to inspire you to, as it says "see what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern what readiness to see justice done." Showing up at meetings does not qualify for true repentance or a righting of wrongs, a clearing of yourself.

Only good can come of true contrition and a walking in the light. David when confronted by Nathan said, "I have sinned against the Lord" and "the Lord ..put away his sin." Paul, when knocked from his donkey and blinded said, "Lord, what will you have me to do?" Jonah, running from God, in the midst of the fish’s stomach cried and "called out of my distress to Lord and He answered me." He gave Jonah a "second time".

Solomon in his prayer at the dedication of the temple affirmed the promise of forgiveness saying, "When Thy people Israel are defeated before an enemy, because they have sinned against Thee, if they turn to Thee again and confess Thy name and pray and make supplication to Thee in this house, then hear Thou in heaven, and bring them back to the land which Thou didst give to their fathers."

We recently studied Joshua 7 and learned about the secret sin of Achan. There were two processes used by God in this chapter - first, the process of discovery where God reveals the sin and the sinner and second, the process of recovery where God through confession and repentance brings a defeated people through His transformation to a victorious people.

The precious blood of Christ does not cry out from the ground begging for judgment of the guilty as did Abel’s blood. The blood of Christ is speaking with boldness and high volume, "REMIT, REMIT…". "There is forgiveness with God that He may be feared." The Good Shepherd is not wandering in no man’s land looking vainly for the lost sheep. He is exploring with purpose the depths of man’s woes, begging and appealing saying, "Come unto me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest." His drawing invitation is, "If any man thirst, come unto me and drink."

David, as you can see our Lord does not give up on the lost nor is He apathetic to their recovery. He cares about you and has not forsaken you. Confession and repentance are His remedy for you in your hour of darkness. I will continue to pray for you.

Very sincerely your brother in Christ,
Kirk