Call It What It Is

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
Psalm 51:1-2 (NIV)

Jesus wants you to experience mercy and freedom.

Confession is a necessary part of being free from guilt and shame. Too often, however, instead of running to God and coming clean about your sin, you might try to cover it up. But Jesus invites you to walk a proven path of freedom. 

You don't have to run or hide. Your first step to freedom is an honest confession with the safest Person you’ll ever know. You don’t have to make excuses or alibis. Your open confession invites His unfailing compassion. 

King David understood the power of honest confession–just saying it like it is. In Psalm 51:1-2, he uses three words to describe his sin. First, he uses the word transgression, which means, “to cross a forbidden boundary or to rebel against God’s law.” 

Next, he uses the word iniquity, which means, “perversity.” The last and most common word he uses is sin, which means “to miss the mark.” King David doesn’t call sin a “mistake” or a “misfortune” or a “misjudgment.” He calls it what God calls it. That is what the word “confess” means – to agree with God on what sin is.

Once King David identifies his sin, he asks for three things: 

1. He asks God to blot out his transgressions. Sin leaves a record. David wants his record wiped clean. You have the blood of Jesus to completely remove your transgressions.

2. David asks God to “wash away” his iniquity. Sin doesn’t just make you guilty; it contaminates your mind, body and heart. Like the Prodigal Son, you can feel like you are in the pigpen of life. But Jesus takes you by the hand and leads you to the banquet table. 

3. David asks God to cleanse him from his sin. The word “cleanse” means, “purge.” You can ask for a spiritual detox, and the Holy Spirit will release you from your guilt.

Take a moment to ask God to blot out your transgressions and wash you on the inside. Allow His Spirit to purge your wayward desires. You will call it what it is and then experience His mercy and new freedom.

Prayer: Father, I agree with You about the nature of my sin. I don’t want to hide it or make excuses. Let Your compassion and cleansing heal and forgive me. And may I desire You from the inward parts. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.