Have you ever lied to your parents? Let an expletive slip out in front of them? "Borrowed" something from them and never gave it back? If you're human, you likely have. Did you feel guilty and sincerely let them know how sorry you were? Most parents graciously listen to their children with open ears and welcome them with warm arms.

But what about even more serious infractions that we've committed against God's law? How does God respond? Consider the story of King David, who many years ago faced such a situation. He was a powerful king, like a president and a Donald Trump rolled into one. Opulent furnishings and the best items money could buy were his lifestyle.

But David, consumed with desire over a woman who was not his own, blindly conspired to murder an innocent man. David sent Bathsheba's husband to the front lines of a bitter war, where the husband was fatally wounded according to plan.

Far more serious than missing a late-night curfew or borrowing money from his mother's purse, David had killed a man and now he felt guilty for his sin. What did he say? How could he ever pray to God again? More importantly, would God listen?

From the day he was born, God was with David. As 1 Chronicles 11:9 explains: "So David went on and became great, and the Lord of hosts was with him." Clearly, God chose David out of thousands of men, and David knew that God was with him. But when faced with the temptation of passion, David succumbed to his desire and murdered.

But as much as David sinned, his conviction to change was even greater. Reflecting a repentant spirit, David wrote: "O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger, nor chasten me in Your displeasure. Have mercy on me, O L ord, for I am weak; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled; but You, O Lord—how long?...I am weary with my groaning; all night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears. My eye wastes away because of grief" (Psalm 6:1-3, 6-7).

No one knew David's conviction better than God. How do we know God listened to David's knocking? Because when David repented, God listened to him with open ears and welcoming arms and allowed David to live and forgave him. God believed in David and in his commitment to change. He will also believe in yours.

Secular society and its accompanying influences present a range of circumstances to cause us to falter. Many times, we overcome. Other times, we do not. And yet we can have the confidence to walk humbly to our spiritual Father and say, "I'm sorry. This can't happen again, and I am convicted to change."

Moreover, we have further assurance in knowing that God will never leave us. "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion" (1 Peter 5:6-8).

God definitely wants to forgive us. So the next time you knock, rest assured He hears. VT