Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE 

David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it: “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight.”

— Romans 4:6,7, NLT

THE TESTIMONY 

All are fallible, all make mistakes and fall into sin; but if the wrong-doer is willing to see his errors, as they are made plain by the convicting Spirit of God, and in humility of heart will confess them to God and to the brethren, then he may be restored; then the wound that sin has made will be healed. If this course were pursued, there would be in the church much more child-like simplicity and brotherly love, heart beating in unison with heart. 

When, under the temptations of Satan, men fall into error, and their words and deportment are not Christ-like, they may not realize their condition, because sin is deceptive, and tends to deaden the moral perceptions. But through self-examination, searching of the Scriptures, and humble prayer, they will, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, be enabled to see their mistake. If they then confess their sins and turn from them, the tempter will not appear to them as an angel of light, but as a deceiver, an accuser of those whom God desires to use to his glory. Those who acknowledge reproof and correction as from God, and are thus enabled to see and correct their errors, are learning precious lessons, even from their mistakes. Their apparent defeat is turned into victory. They stand trusting not to their own strength, but to the strength of God… They walk not stumblingly, but safely, in a path where the light of heaven shines. 

The words of David are the prayer of the repentant soul: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin... Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me…” 

Will you humble the heart before God, confess your sins, and find mercy and forgiveness? I beseech you, “seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Look in faith to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. 

— The Review and Herald, December 16, 1890 

THE RESPONSE 

O my Lord, I seek to be restored and healed from the wounds that sin has made. I want to walk in Your light, I no longer trust in my own strength but I stand trusting in Your strength. According to Your tender mercies blot out my transgression and create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Thank You that I have a Savior to look to in faith, the One who takes away the sin of the world!