Psalm 51:1-6
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.” vs. 1
This particular psalmist was very aware of his own sinfulness and knew that he fell far short of perfection. From the days of his youth he’d regularly sinned against God and neighbor and he believed that he deserved nothing but punishment for his misdeeds. He was ravaged by guilt. As we read his confession of sin we’re tempted to say he was overdoing it a bit, that he was dramatizing his unworthiness. Some even believe that we’d be better off if we stopped talking about sin and instead focus on the positive. It’s doubtful that such an attitude would have resonated with the psalmist…he knew the darkness of his soul and he yearned for cleansing. That’s just how it is for us humans…and if we say otherwise we’re only fooling ourselves. None of us can escape the power and influence of sin…it’s a constant presence among us. But the psalmist not only knew himself, he knew God as well. And he understood that God was full of steadfast love and abundant mercy. And because he knew the nature of God, he knew that there was hope for his own life. He trusted that God would blot out all his transgressions and that the stain of sin could be wiped away. That’s why we regularly take time for confession in our worship. It’s the perfect opportunity to find refreshment and cleansing…our sins have been forgiven. In Christ there is forgiveness and not condemnation.
Thought for the Day: Since all sin, why do some shun forgiveness?
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