Have mercy on me, O God,
because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
blot out the stain of my sins.
Psalm 51:1
As you read this, recall your worst sin from this week. Imagine placing it in your right and hold onto it tightly.
Now recall your worst sin ... ever. Imagine placing it in your left hand.
Now hold both hands out to your side.
Literally.
Do it. As you read this devotion hold both arms out to your side. Feel the weight of those sins in your hands. Ask yourself: "Why do I need God's mercy?"
Now ask: Why does David need mercy?
Read the small print at the beginning of this Psalm -- the annotation: "A psalm of David, regarding the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba."
That (and its fall out and cover-up) represent David's worst sin. What's yours? (In fact, are your hands getting heavy?)
Sometimes we rank sins. (Am I better? Is David worse?) It doesn't matter. All sins are rank. They stink.
As David said in verse 4, "Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight." Yes, David hurt other people with his sin. And he hurt himself too. But ultimately he realized that all sin is ultimately against God.
(How are your arms doing? Tired? Heavy?)
Think now about what shape your arms are in? You're making a cross. Now, if your arms are tired, imagine how tired Jesus' arms grew upon the cross. All your sin is ultimately against God because each and every one of your sins led to Jesus stretching out his arms for you.
He did it out of love.
And his gift is forgiveness.
If you're tired of carrying your sins, it's time to confess them to God.
And once you honestly confess (and prepare to make amends) open your hands. Release the burdens. Put your tired arms down. And be set free.
Like David, we all have a worst sin. But when we confess our sins, we are free ... "and if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36).
In Christ's Love,
a guy with tired arms
but a free heart
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