Psalms 51 and 52 - How To Repent

1 For the choir director; a psalm by David when the prophet Nathan came to him after David's adultery with Bathsheba.

Have pity on me, O God, in keeping with your mercy.
In keeping with your unlimited compassion, wipe out my rebellious acts.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my guilt,
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 I admit that I am rebellious.
My sin is always in front of me.
4 I have sinned against you, especially you.
I have done what you consider evil.
So you hand down justice when you speak,
and you are blameless when you judge.

5 Indeed, I was born guilty.
I was a sinner when my mother conceived me.
6 Yet, you desire truth and sincerity.
Deep down inside me you teach me wisdom.
7 Purify me from sin with hyssop, and I will be clean.
Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear {sounds of} joy and gladness.
Let the bones that you have broken dance.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
and wipe out all that I have done wrong.

10 Create a clean heart in me, O God,
and renew a faithful spirit within me.
11 Do not force me away from your presence,
and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore the joy of your salvation to me,
and provide me with a spirit of willing obedience.

13 {Then} I will teach your ways to those who are rebellious,
and sinners will return to you.
Psalms 51:1-13 (GW)

8 But I am like a large olive tree in God's house.
I trust the mercy of God forever and ever.
Psalms 52:8 (GW)

Reflection of B:

There are many times that we asked God for forgiveness when we sinned. Yet we may commit the same sin over and over again if there is no true repentance. Repentance means to turn away, like making a U-turn, from the wrong we did and never go back to it again.

King David fully repented of his sin of adultery with Bathsheba, not just a sense of regret. In the above Psalm we learned how David repented from his sin, not just say "God, forgive me." To repent fully we need to be able to feel like how David felt and do what he did. He....

- cried to God for mercy (v1)
- asked for cleaning (v2)
- admitted his rebellion (v3)
- recognised his sin not only hurt a person, but also God (v4)
- recognised his sinful nature (v5)
- recognised God's character of desiring truth and sincerity (v6)
- asked God to restore his joy (v8)
- recognised the wrong of his sin (v9)
- asked for a new heart (v10)
- asked God and His Holy Spirit to be with him (v11)
- asked God for restoration and learn to be obedient (v12)
- teach others not to be rebellious and sin from his own failure (v13)


Dear Lord,
Thank You for teaching me the right way of repentance from sin from tonight's devotion. Let me be like King David, not only confessing my sins but also take positive steps in getting Your restoration and also help others not to commit the same sins. Thank You for restoring the joy of my salvation. Thank You that Your presence has been with me in the things I do. Please continue to lead me in Your righteous path, Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Psalms 38 - God Knows Me

3 No healthy spot is left on my body
because of your rage.
There is no peace in my bones
because of my sin.
Psalms 38:3 (GW)

8 I am numb and completely devastated.
I roar because my heart's in turmoil.
9 You know all my desires, O Lord,
and my groaning has not been hidden from you.
Psalms 38:8-9 (GW)

11 My loved ones and my friends keep their distance
and my relatives stand far away because of my sickness.
Psalms 38:11 (GW)

18 I confess my guilt.
My sin troubles me.
Psalms 38:18 (GW)

21 Do not abandon me, O Lord.
O my God, do not be so distant from me.
22 Come quickly to help me, O Lord, my savior.
Psalms 38:21-22 (GW)

Reflection of B:

During my deepest sorrows in the past I prayed the same prayers as King David did in the above verses. When I tried to do things my way, it it a disobedience and sinning against God. Sins always bring sorrows and they trouble our heart until we confess them and repent by obeying God. Yes, it's so true. I had no peace till I surrendered all my heart's desires to God and accepted His way.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for hearing my prayers and giving me strength to walk in Your path of righteousness. Thank You for not abandoning me when others did... even people whom I loved. Thank You, Abba Father.
Amen.

Psalms 32 - My Hiding Place

3 When I kept silent {about my sins},
my bones began to weaken because of my groaning all day long.
4 Day and night your hand lay heavily on me.
My strength shriveled in the summer heat.
Selah

5 I made my sins known to you, and I did not cover up my guilt.
I decided to confess them to you, O Lord.
Then you forgave all my sins.
Selah

7 You are my hiding place.
You protect me from trouble.
You surround me with joyous songs of salvation.
Selah

8 {The Lord says,}
“I will instruct you.
I will teach you the way that you should go.
I will advise you as my eyes watch over you.
9 Don't be stubborn like a horse or mule.
{They need} a bit and bridle in their mouth to restrain them,
or they will not come near you.”
Psalms 32:3-9 (GW)

Reflection of B:

When I read the above verses I felt like crying, for they were the same prayers and cries I made to God before. I always love to read Psalms, especially I do not know how to prayer express my feelings to God. It is always a relief after I pray using Psalms.

There is no way we can hide our sins from God. His Holy Spirit will prick our conscience day and night till we confess our sins and repent. When we do that God will forgive our sins and be our hiding place. He will teach us in the way we should go. This is my personal experience and testimony.

Even though it may be painful when we give up on doing what is wrong in God's sight, though it may not be that wrong in the eyes of men, God will always ensure that the end result is blessings in our life if we obey. I see His blessings in my life when I obeyed His words.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for forgiving me my sins and teaching me Your path. Praise You for being my hiding place whenever I need one. In You is my security, joy and peace. In You I find strength to go on in my pilgrim journey. I love You, Lord.
Amen.

Psalms 25 - The Sins of My Youth

4 Make your ways known to me, O Lord,
and teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me
because you are God, my savior.
I wait all day long for you.
6 Remember, O Lord, your compassionate and merciful deeds.
They have existed from eternity.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my rebellious ways.
Remember me, O Lord, in keeping with your mercy and your goodness.
Psalms 25:4-7 (GW)

Reflection of B:

When we were young, we tend to be "rebellious" and we may have sinned in many instances. We need to ask God for forgiveness and to remember them no more. We need to ask Him to show us His ways and paths so that we can be in His will. Surely God's compassion and mercy for us never fail as long as our heart is sincere in seeking God.

Dear Lord,
Please forgive the sins of my youth. May Your grace and mercy continue in my life as I seek to know Your will and walk in it. Keep me strong and faithful to Your calling in my life.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.