Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 32:1-5
Ps 32:1-5
1 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven; whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. 3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"--and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
1 John 1:8-10
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
Jesus told the Pharisees that those who are well do not need a physician but only those who are sick. He was speaking of spiritual health and not physical. For us to turn to Jesus as our Savior we must first admit that we have sinned and that we need to be saved. This requires that we humble ourselves and recognize that God is in control, he makes the rules and we are subject to him. He is God over all.
But what is sin? Sin is often defined as “missing the mark” as one shooting an arrow and missing the target. In real life sin is anything or any time we fail to live up to the glory of God. God is perfect in every way and his word is truth. Our goal is to be like him and like Jesus (who is the exact representation of the Father). Any time we fail to think, act, speak or be like Jesus we sin, we miss the mark.
God has made us with a conscience that disturbs us when we fail to be what we have been taught we are to be. Our conscience is based on the training and teaching to which we have been subjected in life so it is fallible. But when trained by the word of God, we have a guide that will help us conform to his will. When we violate our conscience, we often become despondent, lose sleep and even become physically ill. But when we confess our sin and we are forgiven by God; we find peace that surpasses understanding and joy in Jesus our Lord.
Heavenly Father I am so thankful for your provision of salvation in Jesus Christ and the joy this brings into my life. As one who is counted righteous by the blood of Jesus, help me open my heart to your Spirit so his fruit will shine forth in my life and you will be glorified. Thank you for the great privilege of being born in this country and in this time. Thank you for the many freedoms and opportunities this gives me to reach out with your gospel and to encourage others as they seek to live for you. Thank you for your great love. I pray in Jesus name.
Robert
