“Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithful love; according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion” (Psalm 51:1 HCSB).

G.R.A.C.E. GOD’S REDEMPTION AT CHRIST’S EXPENSE

According to the inscription, David wrote this psalm after being confronted by the prophet Nathan for committing adultery with Bathsheba. The psalm is David’s written confession and prayer for forgiveness. Notice that he asked for God’s grace and forgiveness according to God’s “faithful love” and “abundant compassion.” David knew that he didn’t deserve God’s grace and forgiveness, so he asked for it based on God’s character rather than his own. David didn’t come to God in a prideful way, claiming to be a good person who just messed up. No. He came confessing his sin and admitting that God would be right to pass judgment against him. Yet, he threw himself humbly upon the mercy and grace of God. And God heard David’s prayer.
 
Ultimately, God answered not only David’s prayer for forgiveness, but all of humanity’s, when He sent Jesus to pay for our sins. For Jesus is God’s grace and faithful love in the flesh. As the apostle Paul wrote, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).
 
PRAYER: Dear Father, we confess our sins, knowing that our forgiveness is according to Your grace and love expressed in the giving of your Son, Jesus. Therefore, confessing our sin, we know that You are faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us, not according to us, but according to Jesus. In His precious name we pray, amen.