Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 51:13-19
Ps 51:13-19
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
1 Tim 1:14-16
The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
If we knew of a man who was in a position of power and he got his neighbor’s wife pregnant and then had his neighbor killed to cover it up, we would consider that about as bad as anyone could be. We might think it worse if we knew of someone who came from a wealthy family and was not a Christian but was very religious and used his money and position to put Christians in jail and even have some of them executed. But this describes king David and the apostle Paul.
It is no wonder that when God forgave them, they were excited. They wanted to share the goodness and compassion of God with anyone who would listen. They knew that they did not deserve to be forgiven. They understood that their crime was against God and that they deserved to die for it. They shared his salvation!
There was nothing that either of them could do to bring back the lives of the people they had killed. They could not change what they had done. Yet, in his love and by his grace, God forgave them. He not only forgave them but used them and what they had done to bring others to him. Whatever we have done, God can and will forgive us in Jesus Christ and then use us to share the good news with others.
Heavenly Father, it is so wonderful to know that my sins are forgiven in Christ. Use me to share this good news with others so they too can be saved. Dianne’s health is heavy on my heart, but don’t let me get so focused just on her that I forget that others are struggling and need your help, your healing, your strength, and your peace also. Give each one what you know is best for them. Be with your people worldwide, especially those who are struggling. I pray in Jesus’ name.
Robert
