Psalm 51:1: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
Experiencing Jesus in the Psalms
Sin is always complicated. It never is simple. And there are several words that David uses to describe his sin. In the Scriptures God uses many more words than this to describe sin, by the way. Sin is that which is complicated; it is goodness that is simple. Let me give you an illustration. Suppose I were holding behind me a stick and I told you it was a crooked stick. How do you think it would look? No two people would think it looked like it really does. No two would agree because it could be crooked in a million different ways. But suppose I say that I hold a ruler behind me that is perfectly straight. Everyone would think of it in just one way. It can’t be straight in more than one way. It is sin that is complicated; it is goodness that is simple. 1
Living the Transformed Life
Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord. Psalm 25:7
- The straight way is the only way that will lead you safely to your destination.
- The straight way is the only way that avoids the shadowy curves of deception and the unknown evil corners, where a custom-made temptation awaits you.
- The straight way is the only way that builds accountability, because there is no secret place to sin secretly, along the well-lit, straight way.
Temptation is just the offer to sin. Sin is accepting the offer.
Praise and Prayer
Thank You, Father, for Your tender mercies that lead me to repentance. Dear Jesus, teach me to flee temptation, and to reckoned the old man dead.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: Poetry (Psalms 42-89) (electronic ed., Vol. 18, p. 58). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
