O Loving and Tenderhearted God, I praise You for the generosity of Your heart. You are good to those who emulate You. You remove their struggles and give health to their bodies. You free them from their burdens and they are not plagued by the problems common to man. Their hearts are happy and carefree. Their hope is in their Lord and Savior. Their lives decorate the halls of their King and their righteousness shines brightly like the stars. Goodness and mercy follow them wherever they go. And, they sit at the best seats at Your banqueting table. They drink from the waters of abundance and eat their fill of goodness. Their faith and hope are strengthened by their closeness to You. Life for them is good.
As for me, my feet have slipped and I have fallen into an abyss. I have envied those who have what I do not and I’ve gratified the desires of my flesh. I have clothed myself in ugliness and would not allow You to bathe me in repentance and forgiveness. My heart has become calloused and I’ve followed after iniquity. My conceits know no limits. I have scoffed at the Almighty and would not subject my will to Him. My words are arrogant and self-serving. I listened to the voices that asked “Can God really know all things?” and “Can he really see everything I do?” Whenever I give thought to change, the task seems too great, so I wallowed in helplessness and self-pity. I feel unclean and I’ve lost all hope. I see my days filled with sorrow and the plagues that are the fruit of my evil ways. I take note of how much I once possessed that is being taken from me bit by bit. And, I think … surely there is no place for me with God. In my sadness and grief, I feel no peace. My mind is tormented and I see no way out. Life for me is lost.
Then I hear Your voice say to me “Come unto me O one who is stained with sin and whose labors are in vain … I will take up Your burden … I will pay the price for Your sins … I will wash away Your iniquities and cleanse You from Your sins … I will show You mercy and restore You to right standing before Me.” Because of my sorrow and the opening of my eyes to see and comprehend the horror of my sins, I cried out in response “Save me, O Lord”. You took me into Your arms, brushed away my tears and reassured me that You’d be with me always. You offered me wise counsel and direction for my life and I accepted it gladly. You have helped me realize that the things of my flesh are temporary and fleeting and do not satisfy. I know that if I waver in the future, You will be there to strengthen me so I can overcome whatever difficulties I face. I now believe that I have a portion with You in eternity. It is good to feel close to You again because Your mercy has removed my shame. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Psalm 51:1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions.