Today’s Reading:
Psalm 51:1-12
Habakkuk 3:2-13
John 12:1-11
Psalm 51 was written by King Davide after the prophet Nathan opened up a tragic, moral failure he tried to hide (2 Samuel 11-12). Davide had committed a very terrible sin which he tried to hide, but God sent the prophet to point this sin to him. In this psalm, David has shown a very powerful model of how we should respond to God in repentance. David realised the gravity of his sin and realised that if God were to meet His justice on him, it would be instant death. So, his only hope was to reach out for forgiveness through God’s matchless grace. Mercy and forgiveness based on God’s unfailing love and great compassion constitute His grace. And when God forgives our sins, He completely removes them from us, and forget about them (Ps. 103:12; Mic. 7:19). When we have been convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit, to return to God, we are to admit our sin, ask for mercy and forgiveness based on the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Against You, and You only have I since” (v. 4). David's sin was tragically against Uriah and Bathsheba, but ultimately, the crime was against God and His law (2Sam. 11:27, Rom. 3:4) Like David, we are to admit responsibility for our sins without shifting blames on another or laying excuses, confess it, ask God to purge us for it and give us the enablement, courage and boldness to overcome temptations (vv. 3-4). Any time we choose to go our way or do things according to the world’s trends; we have taken away the control of our life from God. We have taken laws into our own hands. Then we find it difficult to submit to the leading of the Spirit, we become puffed up, God’s joy will gradually dwindle from our life, and we are disconnected from God. When this happens, know for sure that your prayer altar is under attack, and at your weakest moment, the enemy will strike. When we are forgiven and restored, then we can willingly obey and our joy and pleasure before God is restored.
Apart from repenting, pleading for mercy, forgiveness and cleansing when we sin, God always want our hearts to be right with Him. God wants us to be closer to Him to experience a complete life. But unconfessed sin makes such intimacy impossible. He is gracious, willing and eager to uphold us by His Holy Spirit. There is no sin that God cannot forgive. However, while He forgives us, He does not always erase the natural consequences of our sins. For example, David’s life and family were never the same as a result of the sin he committed (2 Sam. 12:1-23). But God will give back the joy of our salvation to us. But this does not give us the license to continue sinning. On the other hand, do not think that because of your terrible sin, you are not worthy to come close to God. Angels are rejoicing in heaven for every sinner who repented.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud: “Father, I acknowledge my sin against you. I repent and ask for forgiveness in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord”.
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, for the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, for forgiveness and by which we fellowship with you.
Father, You are not only God; but You are my God.
Create in me Lord, a pure heart, and renew a right, teachable and humble spirit within me, in Jesus' name.
Lord, fill me to overflow with Your love that I may love my fellow man, in Jesus' name.
Holy Spirit, fill me with your fire and power, give me Your enablement, anoint me to overflow, and give me your authority, in Jesus' name.
Lord, bring me out of darkness and confusion around me; lift me higher and move me forward, in Jesus' name.
O, Lord reconciles Christian families and homes for the purpose for which you have established them, in Jesus' name.
O Lord, our Saviour, and Redeemer, rescue the captives of the mighty, and deliver the prey of the terrible, deliver also the lawful captive, in Jesus' name.
O Lord, snatch Your Church out of pity from the grip of the world, its evil systems, and the evil one, in Jesus' name.
In Your mercy, Lord, gather together all the scattered resources and wealth of this nation and cause it to be used to the glory of Your holy name, in Jesus' name.
Comentarios