Forgive us our sins

What mighty praise, O God, belongs to you in Zion. We will fulfill our vows to you, for you answer our prayers. All of us must come to you. Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all. What joy for those you choose to bring near, those who live in your holy courts. What festivities await us inside your holy Temple. You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior. You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas. Psalm 65: 1-5 NLT

All of us must come to you...if we want our sins forgiven.

Being forgiven of our sins does take action on our part. God wants to forgive us but we must come to God.

The understanding of the Hebrews was that God was only in one place: in the Holy Temple. So, you physically had to go to God and offer particular sacrifices to be forgiven. There was no falling on your knees and giving a humble and contrite apology (although that would be okay, too). You had to travel to Jerusalem, go to the Temple, present your sacrifice and let the priest do the work. Interesting that the psalm talks about how God is everyone's hope, even those who are physically the furthermost from God – those out on the high seas.

You and I can be on the distant seas, in Jerusalem or anywhere and ask for God's forgiveness. Jesus has already given the ultimate sacrifice. All we have to do is go to God in prayer.

Why don't we do this right now?

God, forgive me for my sins, for they are many. Some I know, others I do not know. Forgive me for each and every one. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims