God Desires Genuine Repentance
King David sinned against God, but he realized his mistakes and repented. He cried to God and said,
“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; according to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done this evil in your sight— That you may be found just when you speak, and blameless when you judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin, my mother conceived me. Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part you will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones you have broken may rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me by your generous Spirit” (Psalm 51:1-12).
Lesson:
God is merciful and he will forgive any sin that is confessed and repented before him. Truly, God hates sin, and he would only celebrate anyone who abstains from it; however, The Creator will not ignore a sinner who repents. He will forgive and pardon repentant sinners, and he will grant them equal rights in his kingdom. However, a sinner who refuses to repent will the suffer consequences of his or her actions in hellfire. Therefore, all people are encouraged to abstain from sin so that they can escape God’s imminent judgments that will soon come on all unrepentant sinners.
Prayer:
Dear God, I admit that I am a sinner who does not deserve any special blessing from you. I have committed many unimaginable sins, and I am not qualified for heaven! However, I have realized my mistakes and have come to you with a humble heart. Today, I repent from my sins, and I ask you to please forgive me. Kindly remove all consequences of sins from my life; accept me again as one of your choice children, and give me grace not to return to my old sins. Keep me standing in good faith, and let me qualify for your blessings on earth and in heaven. When the end comes, count me among people that will permanently live with you in heaven! For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.
