Psalm 51:1-17

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” vss. 1-2

Most people would agree that we live in a broken world. There are wars, corruption on every level, starvation, and massive poverty. Millions of people are on the move, forced from their homes by threats and terrorism of every kind. Yet for some strange reason there are many who refuse to acknowledge the brokenness of their own lives. They can’t see any relationship between their own greed and the sad state of humanity. As far as they are concerned, sin and guilt are religious concepts invented by church leaders to keep people under control and provide income for  denominational hierarchies. But other folks, perhaps the majority, are very aware of their own sin and iniquity. Like this psalmist, they know their transgressions and acknowledge that they are deserving of judgment. For them, the season of Lent is a time for deep personal reflection, an annual review of their own culpability in the world’s sad state of affairs. It’s important to note, this is not an obsession with sin and guilt, some sort of inheritance from pietistic parents and a strict religious upbringing. Because we are broken, it’s the most natural thing in the world to regularly confess our sins! It’s the only way we can be restored! Thank God for Lent! As we practice its disciplines we are healed!

Thought for the Day: Why is guilt a good thing?