The Hope of Forgiven Sins

"Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,

for they have been from of old.

Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;

according to your steadfast love remember me,

for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!"

(from Psalm 25:1-10)

Israel’s King David, a skilled warrior known for defeating Goliath, also led numerous other victories, expanding and securing the kingdom’s borders.

Politically, he united Israel’s tribes, established Jerusalem as capital, and created a strong central government.

Despite his successes, he made serious moral mistakes, like the Bathsheba affair and killing Uriah.

David's trials included Tamar’s betrayal, Absalom’s revolt, and his death in battle.

Nathan, David’s prophet, confronted him about the sin, and David repented.

God’s punishments consisted of a series of family tragedies, including the death of his infant son and conflicts with his children.

Our life journey isn’t King David’s, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t committed sins and transgressions in our youth.

We are clearly conscious of the feelings of shame and guilt menacing us as we remember them.

Like the composer of Psalm 25 we pray to God for mercy and love in our life journey because we know that the “sins and transgressions of our youth” are carried into adult forms.

Psalm 25 is also a statement of trust in God’s guidance leading to redemption as we walk our journey in relationship to God.

Just because we are in need of redemption, doesn’t mean we can’t learn from God’s teachings.

We can be taught God’s ways and paths, what is right, and the meaning of humility.

However, the psalm tells us, we must wait for God’s help with hope, not like waiting for a meeting, but like waiting in a hospital room as your loved one is in surgery.