Devotional Guide, Today’s Reading – Thursday, November 28, 2019

Theme: CONTRITENESS

Text: “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.” – Psalm 32:5.

Comment: One of the weapons of Satan to ensnare man is the spirit of pride. A man who is overtaken with this vice finds it difficult to acknowledge his mistakes or plead for forgiveness. It is self-deceit to harbour this feeling. The Almighty God abhors pride or arrogance as stated by King Solomon: “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look…” – Proverbs 6:16-19

King David showed contriteness after Nathan told him of God’s displeasure over his commitment with Uriah’s wife and the planned murder of the innocent man, Uriah. David did not justify himself or “covered his transgressions as Adam” (Job 31:33), he did not cast Nathan into prison like Herod did to John the Baptist; rather he was penitent and submitted himself to the righteous judgment of God. He told Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” – 2 Samuel 12:13.

In the light of the foregoing, one can see that contriteness attracts the mercies of God. Saint Paul states, “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death.”  (2 Corinthians 7:10 Revised Standard Version). Furthermore, King David wrote: “Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight…” – Psalm 51:1-4.

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