Scripture: Psalm 51:1-12 (NRSV)
I am always blessed when I have the opportunity to spend time with my 3-year-old niece and 5-year-old nephew, for they always seem to have the right words to say at the right time. At Christmas, my nephew was so excited about all of his gifts. I remember him repeating the phrase over and over again, “Is this for me?” As a family, we were amused by his humbleness and sincerity.
Then I thought about how God loves us, and I started asking the questions, “Is this for me?” “Is the gift of life for me?” and “Is salvation for me?” With childlike faith, I am humbled that God has a desire to continuously have mercy, blot out my transgressions, purge me, wash me, create in me a clean heart, renew me and restore unto me the joy of my salvation. God did all of this for me and you! It is such an unordinary love when Jesus gave his life. What more can we do but give him our lives.
During this time of remembrance, as we celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of our Savior, let us allow Christ to resurrect a new sense of childlike hope and wonder in our lives!
Scripture: Psalm 51:1-12 (NRSV)
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
4Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment.
5Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.
6You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
9Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
10Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
11Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.
12Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.