Lenten Devotional
By Carina Lopez-Ramos

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 6,

O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger,
or discipline me in your wrath.
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing;
O Lord, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror.
My soul also is struck with terror,
while you, O Lord—how long?
Turn, O Lord, save my life;
deliver me for the sake of your steadfast love.

Reflection 

At times, I have a hard time saying, “I’m sorry.” Actually, I do say “I’m sorry, but …” My acknowledgment of how I have hurt someone or disappointed someone is often followed by my excuse as to why it happened. However, I don’t think I’m unique in this. Perhaps you may too, have a hard time saying it. The psalmist expresses deep sorrow for his sin, asking God for help and forgiveness. Both his body and his soul feel overwhelmed with terror. David realizes he is experiencing the consequence of his own sin. He cries out in physical and spiritual pain, knowing that God’s discipline is justified for the ways he has disobeyed God.

David’s confession before God is anchored in his confidence that God will forgive. He calls out for God’s deliverance, convinced that God will hear and answer because of God’s steadfast love. Despite the situation in which David finds himself, he knows that he will not permanently abide in terror and distress because of God’s unfailing love. “Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord accepts my prayer” (v. 8–9).

As we enter this Lenten season, we can say, “I’m sorry” before God. When we confess before our merciful Lord, we are assured of God’s forgiveness. Instead of saying, “I’m sorry, but” we can say, “I’m sorry because of your steadfast love and forgiveness!” What a wonderful God we serve! What a wonderful God who still accepts us with all our flaws, with arms wide open. 

Prayer: 

Father God, we confess before you our sins, our brokenness, our mess, and our lives. We all need to experience your abundant mercy. We are not perfect Lord but please help us each and every day to come before you to say, “I’m sorry” with a sincere heart and no explanation. Thank you for your grace. We pray this in Jesus’s name, Amen.