1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4Against 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.
5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. It is a time to reflect on our mortality and the necessity of a Savior. I attended a service tonight at the United Methodist Church I am a member of. The pastor's sermon centered on Psalm 51 and 2 Samuel 12. In 2 Samuel 12, David is confronted by Nathan about David's adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. After being told a story of a rich man stealing from a poor man, David says the rich man must die. Nathan then says "You are the rich man!" David realizes what he has done and acknowledges his sin before the Lord. God grants mercy on David, but the child of David and Bathsheba dies. While the child is sick, David fasted and wept. Upon learning the child dies, David rises, dresses himself, worships the Lord, and eats again.
All of us have and continue to sin. Our sins are against other humans and against the Lord. We deserve death for our iniquities. Tonight on Ash Wednesday, we acknowledge this. But the story is not over! Jesus Christ came to Earth to die in our place. By His sacrificial death on a cross, Christ opened the lifegates by dying in our place. Our sins, though many, are forgiven by God because of what Christ did. All we must do is repent and believe the gospel. Gospel, meaning good news, is that Christ died for us, while still sinners, so that we may be reconciled with God, become one of God's children, and live a life for his glory.
When we become God's children, we are changed. The Holy Spirit, the very spirit of God, enters into our heart. We are called to live for him. Your sin is no longer who you are. You are free from it. Repent! Turn away from the sin! It is a hard battle, but one worth pursuing. Oh to long for the joy of not having sin in my life!
During the imposition of ashes, when the pastor places ashes on your forehead, the traditional saying is "from dust you came and to dust you shall return." However, my pastor said "Repent, and believe the gospel." What welcoming words! My sins, though many, can be forgiven. Just repent and believe the gospel! Praise the Lord for granting to me grace daily, so that I may forgive myself for the sins that he has already forgiven.
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