“Have mercy upon me, O
God, according to Thy lovingkindness; according unto the multitude of Thy
tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine
iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and
my sin is ever before me. Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned and done this
evil in Thy sight, that Thou mightest be justified when Thou speakest, and be
clear when Thou judgest” (Psalm 51:1-4, KJ21).
Sometimes we come to God, confessing our sin but not really
desiring to give up the sin that we are confessing. Sometimes we come with a contrite heart, confessing
our sin and sincerely desiring to leave certain sins behind but we struggle to
truly give up those same sins. Sometimes
we come confessing our sins and find not only forgiveness for the sins but a definite
severing of the bondage of the sin that formerly entangled us.
Although our acknowledgement of our sin in our confession is
vitally important, it is not the complete role confession plays in our
relationship with our Heavenly Father who forgives all sin through the blood of
Jesus Christ and the redemption He brings to us. Confession must both have the
components of asking for forgiveness and seek the freedom from that sin and all
sin by the empowerment of the grace that God gives as the sin is released from
its stain upon our hearts.
David understood this as he both confesses his sin to God
and asks for God’s restoration and continued presence through His Holy
Spirit. He felt both the brokenness of
his sin and the sting of its consequences and at the same time, he needed God
restoration and the presence of the Holy Spirit for his future days. We need to confess our sins, but also need to
confess our hope in God’s restoration and continued presence.
“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness;
according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I
acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee, Thee
only, have I sinned and done this evil in Thy sight, that Thou mightest be
justified when Thou speakest, and be clear when Thou judgest” (Psalm 51:10-14,
KJ21).
Suggested Reading … Psalm 51
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