Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Opening Scripture

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.” Psalm 51:1-4

Opening Prayer

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured, there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt. Dark is the stain that we cannot hide; what can avail to wash it away? Look! There is flowing a crimson tide; whiter than snow you may be today. Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe! All who are longing to see His face, will you this moment His grace receive? Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that is greater than all our sin. Amen!

Daily Bible Reading

Psalm 32

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Reflection  

This penitential psalm sounds like a conversation between David and God in the presence of other worshippers. At one point, David seems to turn to address the assembled group, admonishing them to be smarter than a donkey. This insight appears to be the result of first-hand experience.

The song opens with a description of the “blessed” person whose sins are forgiven, similar to Psalm 1 and Matthew 5. It continues with a graphic description of the heaviness of unconfessed sin, similar to Psalm 51. That weight is joyfully lifted through confession and repentance.

Flourishing Habit

Close Social Relationships

Confession has profound benefits. Spiritually, it leads to forgiveness and restores fellowship with God. Mentally, it alleviates the burden of guilt and shame. Relationally, it provides peace and a sense of relief.

Protestants often struggle with the Catholic practice of confession – the Sacrament of Penance. The act of entering a booth to recount your sins to a priest to receive forgiveness from God can seem rather foreign to those not raised in that faith tradition.

But James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Clearly, there’s something here for us to take note of.

While we ought never attempt to confess someone else’s sins, we always ought to be willing to confess our own … certainly to God and probably to any injured party. Confession in this context fosters forgiveness and invites supporting prayer.

Confession, repentance, and forgiveness are essential for Flourishing Together. Despite our best effort, we each inevitably sin. If you live in community long enough with other people, offense will happen. When it does, it’s important for us to be quickly reconciled to God and one another.

Is there someone you need to forgive? Is there someone you need to ask forgiveness from?

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!