Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Search Archive Print This Article Cleanse me, and I will be clean Monday, December 16, 2002 Psalm 25 1) To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. 2) Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3) No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse. 4) Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; 5) guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. 6) Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. 7) Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord. ... 11) For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. ... 16) Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. 17) The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. 18) Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. Written by David at a dark time in his life, his psalm-song goes on to say, "See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me!" This concerned him but did not destroy him. I am still learning the lesson David seemed to learn early, that the approval of others is not the source of his self-esteem. The music of David's relationship with God as his source, as his father, as his life-giver rings with joy and hope in the midst of his troubles. He shows tremendous confidence in God rather than himself, asking for guidance, forgiveness and forgetfulness in spite of his own "iniquity." When I do something wrong, even evil, I'm guilty, but there is healing available. I can make amends, receive forgiveness, get on with life. Shame, on the other hand, is the experience of being bad with no recourse. Shame is the devil's counterfeit for simple guilt. It compounds my problems, weakens me, closes my mouth and shuts down my relationship with God. I hide from him, from those who love me, even from myself. David knew he was infected with sin. Forgiveness might not be forthcoming from those around him, or even from himself. But somehow he knew that God's forgiveness was available, unconditional and far stronger than his sin. Knowing this, knowing that he was loved, freed him from shame. Today, again, Lord, create in me a new heart, and lead in the path everlasting. "; Add      Edit    Delete