Reading: Psalm 51

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.
Psalms 51:1-2

This Psalm was written by King David as he confesses his sin against Bathsheba, her husband Uriah and God.  (2 Samuel 11:1-12:25)  This intimate account of a repentant heart gives us an illustration of the three steps of a genuine confession that leads to a clean heart and a clean start.

• Step 1 – Admit Your Disobedience

“Have mercy on me…” (51:1). In this verse David cries out to God for His mercy, as he honestly describes his actions as transgressions…iniquity…sin.”  He then he goes on to further acknowledge his sin and take ownership for his sinful ways, by not living in denial or hiding from his actions and its impact (sin).

For I am conscious of my transgressions and I acknowledge them; my sin is ever before me.
Psalms 51:3

If we are to experience the mercy of God, we too must be a people that acknowledge our sin and take ownership of our actions. 

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…
Romans 3:23

• Step 2 – Recognize Your Offense

All sin is sin against God first of all. 

Against You, You only, have I sinned and done that which is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified in Your sentence and faultless in Your judgment.
Psalms 51:4

Just as David did, we must recognize that our sin is not just doing what is wrong, but our sinful actions come against the very nature and person of God Himself.  And our yielding to sin is in direct opposition to the very nature and image for which we were created to reflect. 

• Step 3 – Ask for Forgiveness 

David asks the Lord for forgiveness which brings a cleansing or washing away of his sin.  There is no real relief  from the impact of sin without God’s forgiveness. 

 Take away my sin, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Psalms 51:7

Once forgiven, David asks for God’s help to rebuild his life and straighten out his inner motives so he’d avoid future sin.

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Psalms 51:10 

 As you continue in your journey, remember that true confession is the result of admitting your sin, acknowledging its impact and asking for forgiveness. Ask God today to cleanse you and give you a new start.. it’s yours for the asking.

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!  Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
Psalms 32:1-2