Week 37
Psalm 41:4 “As for me, I said, ‘O Lord, be gracious to me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.”
It is rare in today’s world to hear anyone confess sin. It is also rare to hear anyone admit wrong, mistakes, and apologize. We have been taught by the prevailing psychological whims of the day to excuse ourselves and rationalize why we are never at fault.
But David, the writer of this verse, was not under such false pretenses. He knew he had sinned, and it bothered him! He knew that he had sinned, and he knew that his sin was against God. This is the only way to truly measure the heinous nature of sin – remember that sin is always against God. We are all sinners, and our sins are sufficient to send us to an endless hell because we have violated the holy law and nature of the infinite God.
However, this verse is not primarily a study on sin; rather, it gives instruction as to what to do when we have sinned. David is a great example of what we should do when we sin: go to God in prayer and beseech His mercy for His forgiveness and cleansing.
It is wonderful to remember that the gospel of Jesus Christ is GOOD NEWS for rotten sinners. The gospel of Jesus is not about the judgment of sinners but the salvation of sinners. At least twice in the Gospel of John the Bible clearly and forthrightly reminds us that the blessed Second Person of the Holy Trinity did not come into the world to condemn or judge the world, but rather, to save the world by saving sinners. The incarnation of Jesus Christ in human flesh in the context of human history is purposefully intended to save us from our sins and make us right before God.
All through the Christian life, the Christian comes back time and time again to God for forgiveness. This is a vital way of walking with Jesus each day. It is not too much to say that we do this on a daily basis. David shows us the way. When we feel the pinch of conviction of sin, let us go immediately to God in prayer and beseech His mercy, asking for soul healing from the damage and guilt of sin. There is healing of the soul for every sinner who will come to God the Father through Jesus Christ and His saving work on the cross. There IS a solution for sin! There IS hope for the sinner under the judgment of God. God’s forgiveness offered to us in Christ brings the relief of cleansing, restoration, and renewal. This is the only hope for sinners – Jesus Christ crucified.
Will you not this moment come to God the Father in prayer and petition His grace for you? Will you not ask for the cleansing of your sin through Jesus Christ, the Savior and Lord? The heavy load of guilt and shame falls off into the abyss of divine forgetfulness when we come to the Father in and through Jesus for His forgiveness.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I feel so dirty and worthless because of my sin. Please forgive me and restore me by Your grace and mercy. Please cleanse me through Christ’s atoning merit. Thank You. Amen.