Conviction

Pamela Kennedy May 28, 2025 3 2

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Psalm 51:1-9 (NIVUK)

1 Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
    blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
    and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is always before me.
4 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.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
    you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
    and blot out all my iniquity.

Lord, have mercy.

There is no more heartfelt prayer.
No words, only
a stripping back of defensive layers, open before You.
No tricks and no excuses
I know what You want and here I am again, wanting.

It was always going to be this way. That may not be much consolation, when face to face with our transgressions - that word that sticks in the throat. But see how the Lord still extends invitation to relationship, even in the womb? See how He has lovingly taught wisdom, how He imparts knowledge of His unfailing love, compassion, forgiveness – Yes! Even that!

In this moment I see it: His mercies were mine before I ever knew to seek them.
 

Lord, I seek them now.

Prayer:

Today, I pray a brave prayer, and an honest one. If I can, I open my hands on my lap. I sit before You for as long as it takes for You to put Your finger on my own transgressions in word, in deed, in thought.

Merciful Lord, have mercy upon me. Cleanse me, and I will be clean. And, because Your mercy knows no bounds, I dare to pray yet further: make me rejoice!

Amen