25 Oct November 14th Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

GODLY SORROW  

2 Corinthians 7:10 “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret. . . “

In so many ways King David was a godly man.  He worshipped Yahweh.  He desired to build the temple and when God said no, he gathered the building materials that were then used by his son Solomon to build it.

David was also a sinner.  One of his most infamous sins was when he committed adultery with Bathsheba and then murdered her husband Uriah in an attempt to hide his sin.

David was filled with “godly sorrow” over these sins.  He wrote Psalm 51 in which he confessed his sin and begged God for forgiveness: “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 . . . 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.”  (Psalm 51:1-10  selected verses)

Godly sorrow is connected to both regret for sin and a desire to turn away from it.  In Psalm 51 David expresses both “regret” and he begged God to “create in him a new heart.” 

Psalm 51 is an excellent resource to turn to when you have sinned.  When you know your transgressions and your sin is ever before you (verses 3 & 4) God is ready to hear your confession and grant you forgiveness for Jesus’ sake.  His Holy Spirit is ready to work a “new heart” in you that seeks to live in accord with God’s will. 

Prayer:  O Almighty God, merciful Father, I am a poor, miserable sinner who is sorry for the sins I commit and pray for your forgiveness for Jesus’ sake.  Send Your Spirit to create in me a new heart and a right spirit.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

My hope is built on nothing less 

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; No merit of my own I claim

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Refrain:  On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;

                All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace;

In ev’ry high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain:

His oath, His covenant and blood Support me in the raging flood;

When ev’ry earthly prop gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.

Refrain:

When He shall come with trumpet sound,

Oh, may I then in Him be found, Clothed in His righteousness alone,

Redeemed to stand before His throne!  Refrain:

(LSB 575)