A PRAYER OF REPENTANCE

 Barbara E. Perkins

 A PRAYER OF REPENTANCE

Psalm 51:1-4, 9-12, 14-17 (NKJV) the Psalmist David cries out God, (1)” Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. (2) Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. (3) For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. (4) Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight…” (9) Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. (10) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (11) Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. (12) Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.” (14) “Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. (15) O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. (16) For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. (17) The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.” This was David’s plea to God for forgiveness after Nathan the prophet confronted David about his sin with Bathsheba. Sin is so treacherous! It betrays God’s trust of us. We act like sin is okay with God because His wrath hasn’t penetrated us. God is a just God, but He wants obedient children that He can lift up before the world as His shining examples. We are God’s children, if Jesus Christ is our Savior and Lord; therefore, as Jesus Christ’s ambassadors we have to shine for Him. We can ill afford to play around with sin! Look at David, he was “the apple of God’s eye,” and he messed up badly. But, David repented and God forgave him. However, because of David’s sins his family suffered tremendous loss, including the deaths of several of his children (2 Samuel Chapters 12-18). God is so just and faithful that He tells us how to get sin out of our lives. 1 John 1:9 (NKJV) (9) “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Father God, I thank You for being so faithful and just. I love You Lord, thank you for loving me! Holy Father, I exalt You because You are more than wonderful.