Repentance

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Psalm 51:1

I encourage you to read the entire Psalm 51; it is a comprehensive lesson on repentance God’s way. When it comes to sin and repentance, God expects us to respond in three ways. Firstly, we must see that there is a problem. ‘Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love…’ Ps.51:1a. David in his heart accepted that there was a problem and so he sought God for mercy and compassion. You cannot come before God with arrogance especially when you have identified that there is a problem. After identifying that there is a problem which has put you out of right standing with God, the next thing to do is to take responsibility for your actions. Some people feel the best way out of sin is to blame it on someone or something. The actual truth was the choice to commit the act of sin was made by you alone. ‘For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight…’ Ps.51:3-4a. You are where you are because of your choices. Be aware that all the enemy does is plant a thought in you, it is your singular choice whether to cast it down or turn it into a rebellious act. God has given us all that we need in the Word to cast down every rebellious thought. Note also, that the door way out of where you are and into where God is taking you is labeled choices. The choice to be clean and live right; David after his repentance never went back to commit the same sin twice. ‘Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean…’ Ps.51:7a. Then you have to turn and hold on to Jesus and cry out to the Lord. ‘Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit’ Ps.51:12

 Prayer [song]: Create in me a clean heart Oh Lord, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence Oh Lord, and take not thy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of my salvation, and renew a right spirit within me.