Divine Imperatives October 18 Devotional
by David Joynt on October 18, 2023
Stress Test Devotional May 4
May 04, 2024
PSALM 51:1-4 | 1Have 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 alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are
justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass
judgement.
Forgiveness means practicing confession. Just as we need physical sustenance every day, ie. daily bread, so we need daily grace. We should not wait for Sunday’s Prayer of Confession! Instead in the moments we feel a twinge of conscience we should seek forgiveness. Whenever we feel resentful, whenever we are inattentive or ungrateful or angry or selfish — at each little moment of being less than good and holy — we can turn toward God and receive his grace, approval and release. This way we do not carry the weight of our own imperfections, which God embraced and dealt with for us on the cross. We experience the lightness of being and uncomplicated joy of God’s tender embrace.
When do you confess?
Gracious God,
I confess my frustrations with myself and others today. I confess my self indulgence, my insensitivity, my stubbornness. Forgive me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation.
Amen.
