Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4
Father, we confess that our attitude towards our sin is dulled, yet You call those who mourn over sin blessed. Father, we acknowledge our sin before You and our dullness of heart. We have blasphemed Your name and worshipped things that are made by human hands. We are guilty of slander and have cursed those who also bear Your image with our gossip. We have fallen short of Your glory. Please Lord, according to Your steadfast love and mercy, forgive us and comfort us with the cross. For Your name’s sake restore to us the joy of salvation. Father, we do not ask for forgiveness according to our righteousness, but according to Your great mercy. Be the lifter of our heads so that we may sing of Your goodness, for Your love endures forever.
Reflection: What are some areas where you have idolized or put something ahead of God? Ask the Lord to reveal those areas to you and to help you repent and turn away from your idols. How has the cross comforted you in times when you have sinned? Think of the nature and character of God and how He is your refuge even when you sin. Confess your sins to Him, for “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9.
Joy Dudley loves Jesus Christ with a passion to point others to the heart of the gospel