Are you grappling with guilt and shame? Many believers harbor sins, guilt, and shame when peace and restoration are readily available. King David certainly felt the weight of guilt and shame in his life. His need for absolution and restored fellowship with God is beautifully recorded in Psalm 51.

As you read this Psalm, notice the different ways that David poetically asked God to forgive his sins. He asked God to blot out his sin, to wash it away, and cleanse him from it. David was grappling with guilt, shame, and fear of being permanently cast out of God's presence.

Friends, God hears the cries of His children, and in His love, mercy, and grace, He forgives us, as He did His servant David. Praise God, we have not been cut off from His loving presence through the blood of Christ Jesus.

We are blessed to be able to acknowledge our transgressions and humbly seek God's forgiveness! Don't just take a broad brush across your sins. We must be as specific as possible when we confess and seek absolution. The blood of Jesus is our only hope of forgiveness!

When we confess our sins, we are washed in the blood of Christ and thoroughly cleansed of shame and guilt. Make today your day of restoration, recognize your sin, then repent, "turn from it" and be fully restored in fellowship with our loving God!

Onward and Upward! — Fr. Greg