Mercy

The unfailing love of God

Photo by Ameen Fahmy on Unsplash

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalm 51:1-2, NIV)

King David’s sin

It’s been said that grace is getting what you don’t deserve and mercy is not getting what you do deserve.

Certainly, the author of Psalm 51, King David, needed both grace and mercy. He wrote Psalm 51, after all, following an affair with a woman named Bathsheba and the subsequent murder cover-up of Bathsheba’s husband Uriah. Only when confronted by the Prophet Nathan, in regard to David’s sin, did David fully realize the extent to which he had fallen.

In a strange mix of desperation and hope, David confessed his sin to God. He exhibited the humility of admitting his wrongs and experienced the joy of turning his hope toward God and His forgiveness. And God forgave David of all of his sin.

Our sin

We may think that our sins pale in comparison to those of King David. Or we may see our sins as greater than David’s, deserving of even more dire consequences. In either case, we have a God who is merciful. And when we humble ourselves and get honest with Him about our sin, we find forgiveness that knows no bounds.

I want to encourage you today to confess your sins to God. Take every mistake and misstep to Him. God doesn’t forgive you based on your confession or because of who you are. He forgives you because of who He is, our merciful God.

Pray the prayer that David prayed and hear God’s word for you. You are forgiven and you are free. All thanks and glory be to God.

Prayer

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Thank you for my forgiveness, won at the cross, secured by Jesus. It’s in His holy name I pray, Amen.