Repentance
Have mercy on me, O God, because of Your unfailing love. Because of Your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against You, and You alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in Your sight. You will be proved right in what You say, and Your judgment against me is just.
Psalm 51:1-4 (NLT)
Happy New Year!
This year’s going to be different, right? Finally, we’ll make those changes we’ve contemplated for some time. It’s time to dig deep, exercise some willpower and make it happen. But there’s one hiccup: our willpower only takes us so far. Pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps is a terrible strategy. So, what do we do?
We do what Jesus said: repent and believe the Good News (Mark 1:15).
Repentance isn’t a one-time thing that takes place at salvation and then never again. It’s a daily practice of humbling ourselves before God, acknowledging our shortcomings and our need for Him. Pride is our enemy in this—believing that we’re okay or not that bad or that we can do better if we try harder. We must come to the end of ourselves and begin to rely entirely on our Savior.
Psalm 51 was penned by David, who was described as a man after God’s own heart. And while his love for God was strong, he still made some terrible, sinful choices that had heartbreaking consequences. This psalm was written in the wake of being confronted with his sin. He cries out for mercy, compassion and restoration. Perhaps this is precisely how we need to approach God as we embark on a new year. Not full of pride and plans for 2024, but with humility and dependence on His love.
Application
Read the entirety of Psalm 51. What stands out to you and why? Ask the Lord to forgive you where you’ve sinned, and pray that He renews a loyal spirit within you (Psalm 51:10).
Prayer
God,
Thank You for second chances. You are slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Help me bring my life fully under Your authority. May Your Spirit guide me this day and every day of this new year.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?