“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.” 1 John 1:9
“Did you tell him you were sorry?” A disappointed dad asked this question of his nine year old son who had just been caught riding his bike through the neighbor’s flower bed. The boy had hoped that no one saw him speed through the garden as he tried to beat his friend to the baseball diamond. But he wasn’t so lucky. Glancing out the kitchen window, both his mom and dad witnessed the boy’s actions. Needless to say, they were not happy. After walking next door and looking over the damage, dad knew his son had to make amends with the neighbors. The boy had to begin to make things right by telling his neighbor that he was sorry for the damage he had done.
Many years ago there lived a man who also needed to say he was sorry for doing some very bad things. His problem was not with his neighbor or his dad, his problem was with God. David was a wonderful king who was loved by the people, and he was a righteous man who loved the Lord. But one night, he let Satan have his way, and he committed a horrible sin. Satan tempted David to sin with his beautiful neighbor, Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, a soldier. Later David discovered that he was going to be the father of Bathsheba’s baby. David panicked as his sins grew into bigger sins. He planned to have Uriah killed in battle before he could discover David and Bathsheba’s sin. David felt he could lie enough to keep others from learning the truth. David was now guilty of lying, adultery and murder. He covered his guilt until one day a friend told David that he knew all about the sins. David was shocked. His sins had been discovered.
David knew he had to do the right thing. He needed to ask God for forgiveness and tell God he was sorry. Here is what David prayed: “I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight. Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. Create in me a pure heart and restore to me the joy of your salvation” (Psalm 51 selected).
A great blessing we have in prayer is that we can come to God and ask for forgiveness. God assures us in 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.”
Jesus, your blood and righteousness.
My beauty are, my glorious dress.
In these before my God I’ll stand,
When I shall reach the heavenly land. Amen.
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