Tag Archives: repentance

February 18
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Ash Wednesday

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10, NIV)

We frequently refer to David, who wrote Psalm 51, as “a man after God’s own heart.”  That he was, and David was also a world-class sinner: Lying, adultery, and murder were a few of his notorious offenses.

David was focused like a laser beam on pleasing God — when he wasn’t distracted. When David found himself in the wrong, he always repented of his sin and ran the path of righteousness as one runs to make up for lost time.

By way of illustration (not by imitation), it is said that we can sin like David — if we are willing to repent like David. David’s prayer of repentance was a plea for a clean heart; a pure heart; a heart that is unalloyed in its devotion to God.

David also prayed for a steadfast spirit. Proverbs tells us: “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” (Proverbs 16:32) A steadfast spirit will keep us free of many of the heartaches of life.

Today, as we remember the fact that from dust we came and to dust we shall return; redeem every day for good — and give God the glory!  – Luther

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September 2
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“For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. . .” (I Corinthians 15:9-10, NIV)

What effect has the grace of God had in you?

Has it made you more humble? Has it made you more gracious?  Has it made you more compassionate? Has it made you more obedient to the will of our heavenly Father?

Like Paul, we’ve all come into the light of the truth of God from some very dark places. In Paul’s case, he was a former enemy and persecutor of the disciples of Jesus. He took no credit for what he had become: An apostle of the same church that he had previously tried to destroy!

Paul knew that God’s grace had given him another chance to change for the better. He knew that repentance is the desired effect of God’s mercies: To turn from darkness to the light; from death to life; from the faraway or foreign places to our true home.  – Luther

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August 12
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“Lord, the Lord Almighty, may those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me; God of Israel, may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me.” (Psalm 69:6, NIV)

As children of God, we represent the “family name.” 

All that some people know of God — particularly those who do not know God — is what they see of God in us; and what they hear of God from us. For this reason, it should be our ambition to grow to maturity in the grace and knowledge of God.

Today’s psalm is attributed to David, of whom it was written that he was “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14).  

David didn’t always live up to his potential as a warrior (although he was a peerless warrior); or as a king (although he was a great king); or as a father and husband. However, when David failed he didn’t make excuses for his failures.  He fought to regain sight of God’s standard, turned his heart toward the Lord, and owned-up to whatever personal sacrifices and behavior changes he needed to return to fellowship with his Creator. 

David knew, as we should know, that we are always under observation.

When our children watch us, as they do, what do they see?  When our co-workers watch us, as they will, what do they see? When our casual acquaintances think of us, as they shall, does integrity, self-control, fairness, gentleness, patience, peace, faithfulness, and love come to mind?  

The world watches the children of God.  Does what they see of us; and what they hear from us speak well of our family name?  – Luther

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