Worthily lamenting our sins

Do I indeed lament my sins?
Do I return again and again
to the things that brought
pain, sadness and shame?

“Create in me a pure heart,
oh God and renew
a steadfast spirit
within me.”

“Against you,
you only have I sinned
and done what is evil
in your sight.”

When I can begin to pray like that,
it shows that I am not satisfied
to remain sitting in my sin.

“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.”

I am beginning to think differently about this all.  When I ask God to blot out my sin, it is not only a request that he remove the stain of sin from my account – to pardon me from past sins.  I am also asking him to wash away my sinfulness; to soak up the sin in my life. Lord forgive the sin that I have done and remove the sin from my heart. Remove the sin that I would do.  I am saddened for the sins I have committed and for the sins that I am committed to doing.
Clean it all away.

The cross is a killing place, not just a coat rack where I hang comfortable sins until the next time I need them.  I need to die to self — to self-interest, and begin, step by step, to agree with God; that He is good; that he can be trusted; that he has provided all that I need.

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. (Psalm 23:1)

When I choose selfishness and sin, I am disobeying Him. When I obey God, I Love him. Lord have mercy on us.  Strengthen us. We struggle to live in joy in your provision.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+51&version=NIV