Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent and forty days of self-examination. Our scripture is Psalm 51:10-12.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 51:10-12
“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”, Paul writes in Romans 3:23. In these verses from Psalm 51 we hear a plea to God for forgiveness, to be cleansed and made right with Him again. It is this awareness of our sin that can bring us back to God.
We have chosen sin time and again for a variety of reasons, but they all have a common root – selfishness. We chase what we believe will make us happy. Instead of putting God and others first, as we have been commanded, we choose our desires over what is good for us, God’s plan for our lives.
God calls us back into a relationship, willing to forgive the hurt we have caused if we earnestly repent and ask Him to help us do better. When we acknowledge our errors and seek His face, God will always bless and restore us.
Loving Lord, we know we have wronged You and others through our actions. Forgive us and strengthen us, that we may be the people You intend us to be. Amen.