Lenten Devotional - Day Six

Today’s Scripture: Psalm 51:1-17

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions… For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.” (Ps. 51:1, 3)

  Many suffering from alcohol and other drug (AOD) dependency clearly understand the depth of their destructive behavior “for I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.” They would like to declare with the psalmist “have mercy on me, O God” but they have come to believe that the “steadfast love” of God is unavailable. They have come to believe that God’s “mercy” will not “blot out my transgressions.” Having given up on hope and they need to rely upon others. 

  For individuals dealing with addiction, just as the Psalmist experienced, there is only one way to salvage his life: He needs to call on God (vv. 1-2). The Psalmist gets to the point immediately, pronouncing himself a sinner. He throws himself on the mercy of God, knowing that he deserves no mercy. His prayer is an admission of guilt (v. 3), one in which he does not try to maintain his innocence, defend or explain his action or try to put the responsibility on another party. The psalmist stands as his own accuser and he acknowledges that to God. The first step to true penitence is a clear recognition of one's own sin and a willingness to accept responsibility for their behavior.

  For the person struggling with addiction, recovery will not begin if they are dealt with harshly. Any accusation of their sin only deepens what they already know about themselves and only increases the guilt they are currently carrying upon their hearts. While maintaining their denial, they will seldom share these feelings. What they need to hear is that God is merciful and loves them. They need the church to share with them this hope and the knowledge that God is willing to blot out their transgressions. They need the loving care of others to find this grace of God, initially they will not believe it possible, but it is a message the church is obligated to repeat frequently and often.

  "Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment" (v. 4). The psalmist is not denying that he has wronged other people in directing this comment to God. However, in the presence of God, whom he has alienated, the important aspect of his sin is that which is focused toward God. When sin is seen in its relationship to God, no matter against whom the wrong has been directed, every sin is directed against God. It is always God's right to make demands and call humans to account.

  Lent reminds us every year, how much of God’s “steadfast love” and “mercy” has been given to us through Jesus Christ. We are the benefactors of God’s mercy and we are not to keep it to ourselves, but to share it with others in need of God’s mercy.

Lee McDermott, Contributor

Remember in Prayer: Individuals seeking God’s mercy in God’s steadfast love.

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