Have mercy on me, O God, because of your loyal love. Because of your great compassion, wipe away my rebellious acts. Wash away my wrongdoing. Cleanse me of my sin.
Into the Text
The thing about us being fallen human beings is that we all do things every day that are against God and His perfect plan. We sin, we do things with selfish intent, we are prideful and arrogant, and we seek to fulfill our desires rather than obey God.
Lent is a season designed to remind us of the gravity of our sins. Jesus had to die to restore us to a right relationship with God. The consequences of our sins are serious. But, by placing our faith in Christ, we acknowledge that there is nothing we can do to save ourselves.
Repentance is an important discipline in the life of a believer. The act of repenting is an act of humility, recognizing before God that we were wrong to disobey Him. But repentance is more than confession. Repentance is a change of heart, a continual turning from sin and back to God. Repentance is not a one-time event, but a posture of our hearts.
When David sinned by sleeping with Bathsheba and then killing her husband, God convicted him. David had to deal with the consequences of his sin, and they were very serious. But David also recognized God’s mercy. He repented, turned from his wicked acts, and sought compassion and forgiveness from God.
Our God is gracious and full of compassion. He acts with great mercy, not giving us what our sins deserve. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, He washed away our wrongdoing and cleansed us from sin. When we repent, we acknowledge our sin and ask our Savior for His great mercy and compassion. May we seek His mercy continually, knowing that no matter how many times we fail, His mercy never runs out.