O Lord, Forgive

For the honor of your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭25:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

O how we all need to pray this prayer! Like David, our sins have been many. We have all sinned and fallen short of God's glorious standard. “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:23‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Sin is the terminal disease that afflicts every human being. The only antidote is Jesus! Only through His shed blood can we be cleansed and made whole again. “He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬
David lived at a time when this reality had not been made known in its fullness. David could only look forward in anticipation of the coming Messiah (Messiah is a word that identifies God's Anointed - see Daniel 9:25). He knew the God of heaven and earth, but he was not familiar with full and free atonement. He knew that God was merciful and gracious. He knew that he could be forgiven. However, he had no complete covering for his sin. His sin could be forgiven but there was a temporary process in place that only shadowed the coming atonement for sin - Jesus. In the Old Testament, the ceremonial process for sin was demanding and burdensome.  (see Exodus chapters 29 and 30; Leviticus chapters 4-10, 14-16,19, and 23; Numbers chapters 6-8, 15, 28 and 29).  However, God never intended the law to be grievous. To the contrary, He implemented the law to show mankind his sin and reveal how far away from God he was. God wanted to give man boundaries to live within which would bring him back into right fellowship with Him and would facilitate civility and social stability in life. God's intent was to turn man from his sin back to Him. When someone acted in repentance toward God, the faith of that person would rise before God as a sweet smelling savor. God is not a cosmic kill joy. He is our Father! Jesus taught us how to pray in Matthew 6:9-13. There He tells us to call God our Father! He loves us (see John 3:16-18; I John chapter 4). Yes, He is angry at our sin!  “And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”” ‭‭John‬ ‭3:36‬ ‭NLT‬‬ (see also Romans 1:18) God's wrath toward sin can only be appeased by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no other way!  “For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.” ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2:5‬ ‭NLT‬‬ He is standing with outstretched arms for the prodigal son to come home. The hope of all Israel was the Messiah (the Christ - Anointed One). In reality, the Messiah (Jesus) is the hope of all humanity.  Aren't you glad you can be forgiven? If you have already repented and received forgiveness, aren't you glad Jesus has opened heavens gates and established access to the very throne of God? Hallelujah!!!  Forgiveness, what a God given gift!!  
​Prayer for today: Father, in Jesus name, search me and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! See if there is any wickedness in me. Cleanse me with the blood of Your One and Only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ!! I now receive Your merciful and gracious kindness. You are my hope and anchor! Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me behave like Jesus! ​