PSALM 51...A PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS

It is believed that King David composed this psalm after he committed adultery with Bathsheba, and Nathan the prophet came to reprimand him. David was quick to acknowledge his sins and  asked for forgiveness from God. That is one of the reasons why despite his imperfections, scripture refers to him as ' a man after Gods own heart' (1 Sam. 13:14)

Dear Brothers let  us also
be quick to acknowledge our shortcomings by confessing our sins and ask forgiveness from God and our fellow humans when we offend them. The Bible assures us that God does not retain his anger forever because he delights in mercy (Micah 7:18) see also( psalm 103:8-12).

However brethren, it is VERY IMPORTANT to know this valuable truth; that if we do not forgive those who have offended or hurt us in anyway; if we are still bearing any grudge or feeling bitter towards anyone, the Lord will never forgive us and our prayer for forgiveness will be in vain no matter how long we fast and pray; no matter how good of a christian we have been. see my post on the  peril of unforgiveness. It was written in (Mathew 6: 14-15) 'for if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses' These are the words of Jesus and not mine. It was also written in( James 2:13) 'For judgement is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over Judgement'.

Dear Brothers, I beg you in the name of our Lord, is there any whom you still bear a grudge against? Are you still bitter towards anyone and have vowed never to forgive such a one? Remember that you also have offended God through sin and disobedience. which do you prefer? To forgive the one that hurt you or to spend eternity in hell? Because even the lord will not forgive the unforgiving Christian and the sins he committed in his lifetime will also be judged. But to the one who forgives, Jesus promises in (Mathew 5:7) ' Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy'

And so brothers, anytime i commit sin, i first of all declare that i am at peace with my fellow humans and i forgive everyone that has hurt or offended me. I then examine my conscience and acknowledge my sins by confessing them. I then forsake them and ask for Gods forgiveness and the grace not to sin again. Then i pray psalm 51... and afterwards am confident that  the Lord has heard and answered my prayer; for it was written in( 1 John 1:9) if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness