Want Deliverance? Ask for Forgiveness

PETER WINSCOTT, Church Administrator

• BIBLE VERSE

  Psalm 24: 8-11   “8 Good and upright is the LORD; 
Therefore He teaches sinners in the way. 
9 The humble He guides in justice, 
And the humble He teaches His way. 
10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth, 
To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. 
11 For Your name’s sake, O LORD, 
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great. 

• INTERPRETATION

  This is a psalm of David in which he makes a plea for forgiveness and deliverance.  It is interesting that David joins together the idea of needing deliverance but also asking for his own forgiveness.  While we require deliverance from those who hurt us and inflict suffering in our lives, let us
  not look past our own sins and realize we, too, are sinners.  A spirit of humility puts everything in proper perspective.  Here David gives us
  a key to finding justice for the sins committed against us: “The humble He (God) guides in justice…pardon my iniquity (sin), for it is great.”

• BREAKTHROUGH

  God delivers the humble in heart and those who acknowledge their own sin.  If we show no humility and recognition of our own sin, we may be no different than our enemies.

• LIFE APPLICATION

  God always wants to teach me His ways because His ways are mercy and truth.  My ways are demanding justice, inflicting punishment and a desire to curse my enemies. But Jesus teaches us to bless our enemies.  There is always something for us to learn amidst our own suffering.
  Just because I am suffering or being persecuted by others doesn’t negate the fact that I am still a sinner.  As David points out in this Psalm, I need to recognize that I am a sinner and that my sins are great.  If I will humble myself and acknowledge my own sin, God will guide me in justice for only God is truly just.

• ENTREATY

  Dear Lord, it is so easy to focus on others instead of focusing on myself.  You constantly remind me of the magnitude of my own sinful nature while I focus on the little outward sins of others.  Please forgive me.  Grant me a humble heart before you.  Lead me in your ways of mercy and truth.  Please guide me.  I pray that you would help me keep your commands.  May I place all my trust in you for everything.  AMEN.