Have Mercy on Me  – Psalm 51:1-19

“For I know my transgressions…“

The first step of healing is to admit that you need medical attention.  The first step in a Twelve Step program like AA is to admit that you are powerless over your addiction.  And the first step in salvation is to admit your sin and brokenness.

You probably learned the ABCs of salvation at some point: Admit you are a sinner, Believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, and Confess that Jesus is Lord.  This gives a great starting point for a discussion on the path of salvation (and yes, we recognize that a more complete picture would include a discussion on the importance of things like repentance, baptism, scripture, church, etc.)

The first step is to Admit.  So often we would prefer our carefully-constructed masks and facades.  We would prefer to keep our sin and brokenness stuffed down inside us where we think nobody can see it.  We even are tempted not to admit our sin to ourselves–justifying our actions and behaviors… ignoring those who confront us… or simply pretending that everything is OK.

David begins this beautiful psalm of confession by admitting his sin.  He knows about it… and he knows that God knows about it.  And so David models true confession for us by getting his sin out in the open so that healing can begin.

Is there a long-time hidden sin that you are refusing to admit to?  Don’t fool yourself–God already knows about it.  The first step to true healing is to admit it to Him today.  Scripture promises that “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9)