TODAY’S 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. Psalms 51:1-2
TODAY’S MESSAGE
We are focusing throughout 2023 on Spiritual Practices—activities Christians have been doing for centuries in concert with the Holy Spirit to train themselves to be godly. Building or restarting these habits deepens our relationship with God and molds us more into the character of Jesus. Confession is admitting and agreeing with God that our thoughts, actions or words were wrong and sinful. It’s not merely saying, “I have sinned,” but being specific and honest with God about our sins.
In Psalm 51, David models confession. The prophet Nathan confronted David about his sins of adultery and murder. Instead of denying or hiding his sin, David acknowledges that he has sinned and sinned against God (Psalm 51:3-4). David then asks God to cleanse and wash him of his sin. (Psalm 51:7). David knows that his confession brings God’s forgiveness and will restore the joy of his salvation (Psalm 51:12).
A regular discipline of confession clears the air between us and God, allowing a deeper relationship with him. We can make a regular habit of asking God to reveal sin and confessing immediately when we recognize our sin. We cling to the promise that when we confess, God is “faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Read through Psalm 51 slowly and ask God to reveal sins you need to confess. Sit in silence, giving the Holy Spirit room to reveal anything to you. Name anything God brings to mind with sorrow and regret for how it has offended God. Then ask God to help you avoid that sin going forward. Consider confessing this sin with a trusted, mature believer to pray for and encourage you.
2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.
April is CONFESSION. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
