King David’s very vocal wrestling to accept God’s forgiveness is a huge help to us as we navigate forgiving ourselves for our mistakes too—past and present.
Psalm 25:4-12 NLT
Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord. The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands. For the honor of your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins. Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose.
In David’s personal processing and prayer, He reminds himself of God’s goodness and confesses the truth that that goodness is greater than any sin he could ever commit. Finally, David declares that God is the only one who will lead us out of our sin and into safety and security.
Think of an area of your life that you need help in forgiving yourself?
As I read parts of the passage again, notice how David prays, then in verse 8, he changes to a declaration of what God does, but then in verses 11 and 12 he goes back to personal prayer:
Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow….teach me, for you are the God who saves me… I put my hope in you. Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love…
Here’s the turn: The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.
And now back: For the honor of your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins… He will show them the path they should choose.
David was bold in his brokenness. God is inviting you to the same as you share your heart with Him.
What is an area of your life that you can be bold in your brokenness before God?
Let’s pray using David’s own words: “Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by Your truth and teach me. I put my hope in You. Remember me in the light of Your unfailing love, for You are merciful, O Lord. For the honor of Your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins. … As above, so below.”