Many people take personal inventory during the month of January. It’s a time for resolutions.
Desire to improve always requires admitting a need to improve, evaluating mistakes, perhaps acknowledging guilt. That can be painful.
How do we deal with failure or guilt? We can say we’re not really so bad—and justify guilt. We can say there is no guilt—and seek escape from those inner twinges by indulging in some kind of temporary pleasure.
But if we bring failure to God, He not only allows honesty, He encourages honesty. That why David could freely say, “Have mercy on me, O God. . . I acknowledge my transgressions—and my sin is ever before me.” (Ps. 51:1a,3 NKJV)
Then he was free to move toward a new beginning. “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean . . . Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (v. 7a,10) Originally published January 10, 1986.
Picture: Flowers, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2008. Photo by Solveig.
But if we bring failure to God, He not only allows honesty, He encourages honesty. That why David could freely say, “Have mercy on me, O God. . . I acknowledge my transgressions—and my sin is ever before me.” (Ps. 51:1a,3 NKJV)
Then he was free to move toward a new beginning. “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean . . . Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (v. 7a,10) Originally published January 10, 1986.
Picture: Flowers, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2008. Photo by Solveig.
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