Psalm 34:18-19
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. He saves those whose spirits have been crushed. Many are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Jesus once said, “it is not the healthy that need a doctor but those who are sick.” When we realize our sins, we recognize what they cost us. Each sin separates us from you, from your goodness, and each is deserving of eternal death. This is where we begin; David once wrote in the Psalms, “in sin did my mother conceive me.” Then as I go through life, my sins are continually before me, and my guilt is in front of me. I am constantly reminded of all I have said and done to others; however, all is not lost. This is where you need us to be. When we realize that there is absolutely no other way out on our own, it is like being on a river; we are about to plunge over the waterfall to our eternal death. This is where you need us—to be brokenhearted, and this is when you are with us. You save us. You sent to us your Son, the hero that rescued us from our distress of sin, death, hell, and Satan; we are no longer on our own trying to figure out how to pay all this sin’s debt. Jesus paid it on the cross, and it is for all people, and it comes to us through faith in Jesus. Many are our troubles and wickedness, but you have saved us from them all. Lord, thank you for being with me and sending your Son to deliver me. Amen.
Roger Emmons
Pastor
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
God needs you to take off the pious mask you share with the world, then come to him with all your sin’s blemishes exposed. There he is with you and takes all your sin away.