Psalm 51:4-6
“Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely, I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.”
I’ve sinned against my wife. I’ve sinned against my children. I’ve sinned against my friends. David sinned by committing adultery with Bathsheba. All of that is true.
However the most important truth is: I have sinned against God. While others can forgive me and restore my relationship with them, only God can forgive me and restore my relationship with Him.
It is God’s infinite mercy that brings about forgiveness, pardon and peace. When Nathan confronts David about his sin, David claims, “’I have sinned against the Lord.’” (2 Samuel 12:13)
How deep is the inclination to sin? David says we are sinful from conception. (Psalm 51:5)
But there is hope. We also have wisdom that comes from God. Wisdom to know we have sinned and must seek forgiveness from God.
The Father sacrificed His Son. Christ knew no sin. He died for us. He blotted out our sin as an acceptable sacrifice to the Father.
There are no doubt others are affected by our sins. Bathsheba was affected. My wife, family and friends have been affected. But it is the One without sin, the perfectly Holy One, the One who paid the price on Calvary, the Triune God, against whom we have truly sinned.
Look first to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and seek His forgiveness.
The GRC Children’s Ministry is also providing a family Lenten Devotional which is available here.
Note: Each day’s devotional is written by a different member of the GRC family.