Forgiveness and healing even in weakness
by Bishop Jack Urame
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit (Psalm 51:11,12).
Seasons of the church year draw our attention to the biblical narratives of God’s interaction with man. At the centre of those narratives lies the gospel of grace. As we journey through the Lenten season, we are reminded of Christ’s suffering – an expression of God’s love for the world. Psalm 51:11,12 is a prayer for forgiveness, healing and reconciliation when one realises their weakness, failure and sin. The prayer reminds us of the importance of turning to God. Because of his love and mercy, we turn to him and seek his divine grace.
God calls us to be his children through Christ, but we admit that we are not perfect and holy as long as we live in the world. We are humans. Due to our sinful nature, we are bound to fall. But by the grace of God, we are called, redeemed and reconciled to God through Christ.
This prayer in Psalm 51 informs us that we live in a broken world, torn apart by sin in the form of violence, greed, inequality and injustice. We suffer from our human physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual conditions of sin, sickness and other forms of misery. Those realities of our human condition motivate us to turn to Jesus, who says, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28).
The prayer reminds us of our need for forgiveness, renewal and strength to live each day with hope in Christ. At the dawn of each new day, we are assured by the promise of Christ that he is with us (Matthew 28:20). Even when we fall or suffer misery, God does not abandon us. Amid difficulties and suffering, we turn to him in prayer to forgive us, renew us and fill us with the Holy Spirit so that we can continue the journey of our faith with a sure hope.
This Lenten season shall also remind us of the suffering brought to humanity by COVID-19. The pandemic has significantly challenged our life, faith, church and mission. Therefore, we seek the grace of God to live each day with hope in Christ. When we encounter challenges, difficulties and suffering through sin and sickness like COVID-19, we can turn to God. He is merciful and ready to forgive and heal. He says to us, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Corinthians 12:9). From the heart of the gospel of grace flows forgiveness, renewal, reconciliation, liberation, new life and peace.
Prayer: Pray for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea that they will live in the grace of God that they are called into – redeemed and reconciled children of God. Pray you will turn to God for forgiveness, renewal and strength to live each day with hope in Christ.
Bishop Jack Urame is from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea.
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
