Blot Out My Offenses

I still have John Michael Talbot playing in my car. Which means that every day I am reciting this Psalm 51. Everyday, there is a new reason why I need to sing it. Some days I find myself in tears as I consider God’s divine mercy and my glaring faults. At times, most times, only he knows what is weighing heavy on my heart.

The beauty of this Psalm is the the confidence that David has in his God. He knows that his full surrender is what is required to be right with God again, “my sacrifice is a contrite spirit, my humble heart you will not spurn” are the sentiments of someone who knows that they are fully loved, despite all of their iniquities.

And David is right. Despite hearing Jesus get frustrated because of the shallow approach that people have with his Father we witness his compassion and healing love with them. We learn that there is nothing that can separate us from our God as long as we desire to be with him. Years pass and we hear Paul say as much to the people of Ephesus and others he ministered to, or James reminding people to “draw near to God and God will draw near to you.”

This Lent, as we take a hard look at our own shortcomings, our own sinfulness, our weaknesses and our “grievous faults” let’s try to remember that the One who looks back on us is not doing so with the same severity as we are. He knows us, he always has, and he loves us. I feel when I am at my lowest and at my most broken, he loves me with an even more generous love. I have felt it. I have felt the love of Christ pick me up, wipe my tears and look me in the eye to remind me that he would not, indeed could not, “cast me away from his presence.”