love, forgive, confess

Psalm 41:4  "I said, 'O Lord, have mercy on me; heal me, for I have sinned against You.'"

I had a friend that, in his graciousness, pointed out a horrible flaw in me back in high school and I am forever grateful.  We met in 8th grade and had been friends throughout high school.  At the time, I was fighting with my other best friend and he told me that in all the time he had known me that he had never heard me say I was sorry for something I had done.  Man, it hit me between the eyes and in the heart.  I was so arrogant.  

I have gotten better since then.  I do own my mistakes, some of them...I am still a stinky sinner...and ask for forgiveness.  This is one of those verses, that like a sweet friend, hits you smack dab in the head and heart.  God has shown mercy upon mercy toward me and His mercies are new each morning.  (Lamentations 3:22-23, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.")

We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).  We forgive because He forgave (Colossians 3:13).  We confess our sins to each other and pray for each other so we may be healed (James 5:16).  We are told to do all these things.  What slayed me in this verse, is that I SO often forget that every sin I have done against another, is really a sin that I have done against my gracious Father.  Even in my times of asking forgiveness from another, I do not ask Him for forgiveness for grieving Him.  So I go to Him now and I ask forgiveness and mercy because every day I sin.  Father, forgive me.  I have grieved You and I need Your mercy.  Thank You for Your faithfulness in my life.