Psalm 51:1-10 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 51:1-10 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
Verse 2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Verse 3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Verse 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.
Verse 5Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.
Verse 6You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Verse 7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Verse 8Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
Verse 9Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Verse 10Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
Devotion
I recently read an article that said the average adult may make up to 35,000 choices each day. Many of them are simple ones. What do I wear? Should I have another cup of coffee? Should I turn at this street? Others are more complex. Should I change careers? Do I stay in this relationship?
Sometimes we hurt because of the choice someone else makes. And sometimes we regret our own choices because they have hurt others. Lent is a time when we are faced with the reality of our sins and our need to confess, "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions" (Psalm 51:1). We hold tight to God's grace, which allows us a new beginning. And with that comes new choices to make as we do God's work in the world.
Prayer
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Amen.