Forgiveness begins with asking for mercy, and God's mercy is bigger than our failure.
“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”Psalm 51:1-2 (KJV)
What does “Cleansing” mean in Psalm 51:1-2?
Psalm 51 is David's prayer after a grievous failure. The word he uses for lovingkindness is the Hebrew chesed, God's steadfast, loyal love, and it is the ground of his plea.
Going deeper
David does not begin with excuses. He begins with mercy, and he leans entirely on who God is: according to thy lovingkindness, and according to the multitude of thy tender mercies. He asks for three things, that his transgressions be blotted out, that he be washed throughly, and that he be cleansed from his sin. The three requests describe one great need, and he brings all of it to God at once.
Notice that David asks to be washed, not merely excused. He wants a real cleansing, one that reaches the place where the wrong began. That is what Lent invites us to want too. Before we decide what to give up, we can ask God to make us clean on the inside. You do not need polished words. Speak plainly about what you know is wrong, lean on His mercy the way David did, and expect Him to answer.
Reflect
What do you most need to bring to God for cleansing today, without excuses?
Pray
Merciful God, wash me and make me clean. I lean on Your steadfast love and not on my own goodness. In Jesus' name, amen.
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