Week 2 - Psalm 51
Monday, March 2, 2015
A Reflection on Forgiveness from Doris
Mueller
The psalm begins with great guilt and urgency by a cry for
forgiveness. The call is asking for
forgiveness to blot out, to wash and to cleanse him of the bad things he has
done.
In today’s world of temptation and troubled times, how often are we
guilt-ridden by our own transgressions of commission or omission, large or
small? The heavy burden of guilt can be
great and unbearable because it creates remorse, barriers and isolation.
Here is another plea for forgiveness, praying for God to cleanse by
creating a brand new beginning, a fresh start, and a new, clean spirit. Desiring to have the slate “wiped clean,” to
begin anew, to feel reborn is the prayer of everyone at one time or another
when we need forgiveness to have that burden of unfaithfulness lifted.
The psalmist looks forward to being happy and right with God once again,
since he has a broken spirit. He wishes
to experience the joy of being forgiven and vows to witness, to teach others,
to sing and praise God. The psalmist
believes the sort of sacrifice the Lord desires is not something he brings as
an offering. Rather, the Lord wants him,
broken spirit, broken heart and all.
Life’s challenges and temptations may result in sin and guilt. Nonetheless, God’s forgiveness and
reconciliation are there for us despite how broken we may be. God recognizes that something is wrong. He asks nothing but that our estrangement
from him be mended by offering ourselves, as we are, to Him. Our sins are not counted against us. Instead, God’s healing forgiveness for our
transgressions and broken hearts empowers and humbles us to follow his guiding
light of grace and mercy toward others.
All
forgiving One, grant us the willingness to surrender to You that which burdens
us with guilt. Let us go forth strengthened by your grace and mercy to live our
lives as You intended. We ask the strength to recognize and the joy to witness
that your forgiveness is available to all. Amen.
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