Dear Church,
What a remarkable Sunday was yesterday. God’s presence was woven through every moment, from the first song to the final “Amen.” During the altar call, few came forward with hearts genuinely contrite before the Lord. Many more came afterwards. Sundays like this remind us that He is still the God who moves mightily in our midst. As the Psalmist says, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). We saw that truth live out yesterday.
David’s confession in Psalm 51 continues to speak to us: “For 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” (Psalm 51:3–4a). A genuine child of God cannot escape the awareness of sin in their life. An unconfessed-sin life is a miserable life. David knew that. It is like a nagging headache or a toothache that never goes away. It robs you of peace and drains your joy. Notice that David did not say, “My punishment is ever before me” or “My consequences are ever before me.” What grieved him most was not the fallout. It was the sin itself.
Too often, we grieve over the consequences of sin, what it cost us, what it did to our reputation, or how it damaged our relationships. But far fewer grieve over sin itself. In God’s eyes, sin is not just a mistake or a moral slip. It is rebellion against a holy God. It is something that grieves His heart.
David owned it. He said, “Wash away all my iniquity (ʿavon) (This word means the inner moral corruption ) cleanse me from my sin” (v. 2, NIV). He did not blame Bathsheba, or the pressures of leadership, or his past. He did not point to the failings of others. He simply said, “My transgressions, my iniquity, my sin. ”Church, that is where true healing begins. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8–9, NIV).
This week, let us continue the work God began on Sunday. Let us ask Him to search our hearts (Psalm 139:23–24), to bring to light anything that displeases Him, and to give us the courage to confess it. Let us remember that forgiveness is not the end goal. Restored intimacy with God is.
May we pray with David: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me… Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me” (Psalm 51:10, 12).
Do you know your sins? He is ready to meet you, not in your perfection but in your confession.
Be Encouraged,
Mathews
