And You Forgave Me

AND YOU FORGAVE ME

a prayer to open

Here’s my heart, Lord. Speak what is true.

Here’s my life, Lord. Speak what is true.

Oh, what joy for those

whose disobedience is forgiven,

whose sin is put out of sight!

Yes, what joy for those

whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt,

whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

When I refused to confess my sin,

my body wasted away,

and I groaned all day long.

Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.

My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

Finally, I confessed all my sins to you

and stopped trying to hide my guilt.

I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.”

And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time,

that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.

For you are my hiding place;

you protect me from trouble.

You surround me with songs of victory.

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.

I will advise you and watch over you.

Do not be like a senseless horse or mule

that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

Many sorrows come to the wicked,

but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD.

So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him!

Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

Confessing our wrongdoing to another person can be really scary. We can feel ashamed of ourselves. It can seem too vulnerable to expose ourselves. We can feel disappointed to have hurt another person or worried about ruining a relationship. We can be afraid to tarnish our image or reputation. We might be concerned that the other person will not forgive us. These are all legitimate fears. We have no way of knowing how others will respond when we confess. But we do know how God will respond: He will forgive us. Period. It’s in his character to forgive us. It’s who he is, always and forever. How might our lives be shaped if we really believed to our core that God forgives us when we confess?

• Read this passage again slowly. What word or phrase stands out to you? Why do you think that particular word or phrase speaks to you? What does it say?
• Have you ever confessed a wrongdoing to another person? How did it feel? What was hard about it? How did you feel afterward?
• What keeps you from confessing your wrongdoing to God? As you look back on the past week, what things do you need to confess? God is trustworthy. Give confession a try.

You see every part of me, Lord—the good and the bad. You see the darkest thoughts and the secret actions, and you love me fully and faithfully. I confess that I have not loved you with my whole heart and have not loved others as you have loved me. In your mercy, forgive me. Give me the strength to love others well today, just as you love me. Amen.