Today's Scripture:

Psalm 51:1-12 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. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Read: Reflect on a story in your life that pertains to this scripture.
In this Psalm, David cries out to God to have mercy on him because he knows God's love always shows compassion. God knows how we feel and what is in our heart. David knew God could help his guilty conscience and reunite him with God.

Reflect: What is this scripture telling you during this season?
In Psalm 51, David confesses his sin of arranging Uriah's death and his marriage to Bathsheba. He asks for forgiveness and prays for God to restore him. In my life, there have been many times I have manipulated a situation to get what I want, not as severely as David has in this story, but enough to know I was wrong. Sin is sin, and in my case, God knew this! It may have taken me more time to realize what I did was wrong, but God knew the intent of my heart and actions. I had to come to accept my own sin before I could fully repent to God. In this story, we see that David is truly a man after God's heart and is a perfect example of how we all should be. Even in the shame that exposes us when we sin, He covers us in redemption!

Respond: How is this scripture calling you to respond?
Our Father God knows when we have sinned. Pray for forgiveness. Pray for restoration of feeling God's love. Pray for obedience. I need God's assurance and forgiveness.

About Sally Fickes:
I have been married to Ken Fickes for 41 years. I recently retired but practiced veterinary medicine for 43 years and feel like one of my spiritual gifts is caring for pets and their people. Now my joy centers around our church and my family. Our son Reece and his wife, Lacey, have one son. Our daughter Sarah and Matt attend Grace and have 3 children. I love having the ability to spend lots of time with my grandchildren and being with our family.
Ken and I joined Grace in 1985 and have been involved in many different ways. Currently I am a part of the Inspire Bible Study, Women of Grace Circle, and a disciple group. On Sundays you can find me teaching Sunday school to the wonderful and very active 5 year olds!