The Necessity Of Forgiveness

Remember, O LORD, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O LORD.

Psalm 25:6-7

MOST OF US ARE FAMILIAR WITH the prayer acronym ACTS, which stands for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. It’s meant to guide our prayers so that we don’t just jump right into asking God for things. That’s not a bad idea, though the Bible also talks about coming to God like a child (Matthew 19:14), and children feel no shame in immediately asking for what they want. In any case, one absolutely indispensable part of prayer is confession, and one absolutely indispensable answer to prayer is forgiveness. Yes, we need to trust God, and yes, we need guidance; but we also need to be right with God before any of that. We need His forgiveness. Otherwise, guilt and shame will overwhelm us.

Reminding God of His promises can almost seem a little manipulative, like a boy bugging his dad about his dad’s promise to play catch with him after work, even though his dad may be exhausted after a really long day. But God is different from a tired dad. He delights to honor His promises. Honoring His promises gives Him glory.

Like most of us, the psalmist considers the possibility that the trouble he’s in now is due (at least in part) to mistakes he’s made in the past: “Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth,” he prays. But he also remembers that God is good and merciful and willing to forgive. That’s key.

BOTTOM LINE

It’s so hard to believe that we’re forgiven, because we need forgiveness so often. This fact hurts our pride, yet God graciously gives us what we need.

Moment of Strength: Psalm 130:4