DEVOTION – DAY 475

Psalm 143:8 “Confess And Repent”

Psalm 143:8 “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”

In Psalm 143, King David wrote about how burdened he was by his many troubles. He sought deliverance from his troubles. He also sought deliverance from God’s judgment for his sins. Thus, in v8 above, King David looked ahead to the morning in expectation of God’s salvation. King David knew that God is loving and God would forgive his sins. He is able to say that he had put his trust in God. He was willing to ask God for His directions for him – to show him the way he should go. In the Bible, King David was a flawed man but he was also regarded as someone with a humble and contrite heart. He was a man that God loved and whose sins were forgiven when David repented before God.

In the same way, the Bible is full of examples of flawed people who turned to God in repentance and faith, trusting in God’s love, mercy and grace. The apostle Peter loved Jesus but he loved himself even more. Peter had declared that he would stand by Jesus no matter what happened. But when Peter sensed danger, he sought to distance himself from Jesus three times. He denied knowing Jesus when he was asked. Peter later repented of his failures and the Lord restored him. 

Later, Peter testified before a large crowd in Jerusalem, “that God had raised this Jesus to life and we are all witnesses of it.” (Acts 2:32). In Acts 2:37, “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” In Acts 2:38-39, “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for whom the Lord our God will call.” On that day, in v41, some 3,000 people repented of their sins of unbelief in Jesus and they opened their hearts to receive Him as their Lord and Savior. This may have included some who had earlier shouted before the Roman governor, Pilate, to crucify Jesus. We thank God for His mercy and grace. He forgives our sins no matter how terrible they are, if we are willing to confess and repent of them.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we worship you for you are Gracious, Merciful and Slow to Anger, Quick to Forgive. Please forgive us for we have sinned. Please help us to walk in righteousness, to be guided by your Spirit. We ask this in the holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. Why do people find it hard to confess and repent of their sins? Discuss.
  2. Why do people downplay their sins by calling them mistakes, failures and even blame others or their circumstances, and not themselves? Discuss.
  3. Why is it important that we must all confess and repent of our sins before God? Discuss.
  4. Have you confessed all your sins before God? Are there any secret sins that you are still holding back from God? Will you confess them and repent?