TODAY’S READING:
PSALM 51
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according
to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that
you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom
in the secret heart.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and
my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased
with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God,
you will not despise.
18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem;
19 then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt
offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar. (ESV)
Have you ever wondered what may have been if Adam and Eve had immediately confessed their sin in the Garden of Eden after eating the forbidden fruit? If they had sought out God’s presence instead of trying to hide from Him? If they accepted responsibility for their disobedience and owned their sin instead of passing the blame?
Growing up, I found that hiding my disobedience or dishonesty was met with much stricter discipline than immediately apologising and asking for forgiveness when I got it wrong. In actual fact, the longer the “misdemeanour” remained hidden, the worse the outcome would be in the end!
As a parent, I am greatly encouraged whenever my children confess wrongdoing without excuses or justification. “I am sorry. Please forgive me.” are powerful words when offered, quickly, voluntarily and sincerely.
Although Psalm 51 is King David’s personal lament and confession, it serves as a wonderful example and vehicle for guiding us in doing the same. Why not use this seven-day devotion to “clean-shop” and call out to the Lord for His abundant mercy? Don’t make the same mistake as David who walked under the weight of un-confessed sin for nearly a year!
Today is a great day to act. Today is the perfect day to come humbly before God with a sincere heart. Why not choose this hour to deal with personal sin and seek restoration and renewal that will allow you to truly walk in freedom while growing in your relationship with the Lord?
ACTION STEPS
• Read Psalm 51 one more time.
• Pray like King David and ask the Lord to: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
• Confess any known wrongdoing and sin in your life and ask for God’s gracious mercy and forgiveness.