Psalm 51
Reflect
What is your response when you've messed up? Perhaps our response to our own screw ups reveals in large part what we think about God. As a dad of a 2 year-old, I am already realizing the importance of loving and nurturing my daughter even when she makes mistakes or is defiant, and while it can be tough, I believe this is how God responds to us when we make mistakes. One of my favourite quotes regarding guilt and shame is this (not sure where I heard it but it resonates with me a lot): "When we mess up and are living in shame, we hide from our Father. When we mess up and are living in grace we run towards our Father." See how our response to our own mistakes reveals what we believe about God? Today’s psalm is an example of a prayer of running towards our Father. After a massive screw up (murder and adultery), David is exposed, and rather than falling into shame and running away from God, he runs towards God and desperately cries out for His grace. It's done by acknowledging the sin, confession of it and the consequences therein, but it's also done with a desire to see his relationship with God restored (“Cast me not away from Your presence… restore to me the joy of Your salvation”).
Apply
If you're living in shame, pray Psalm 51 in its entirety and acknowledge your need for God's grace. Remember that even in your struggles God does not want you to run and hide, He wants you to run into His arms.
Pastor Daunavan
Pray
- Pray for our Lead Team Pastor, Terry Okken and his family.
- Pray for Erin Gibbard, Youth Ministry Assistant.
- Pray for all our small group leaders, and our Small Group Intern Isaac Lee.
- Pray for the ministry of International Student Ministries as they meet virtually now.
- Pray for Pastor Dan, our Lead Team Pastor and his family.
- Pray for our Hospitality Coordinator, Irene Dickau.