Scripture: Psalm 51

“One aspect of this prayer that may surprise Christians is the affirmation that sacrifices and offerings are not required for forgiveness (vv. 16–17; Psalm 40:6; Micah 6:6–8). The psalmist knows that sacrifices don’t pay for sin; one can only repent and ask God for forgiveness and trust in God’s hesed. Sacrifices and offerings are part of the ensuing worship that celebrates God’s forgiveness (v. 19).” –Steve Mann, Fruit of the Vine

Query: How do you celebrate God’s forgiveness?

49

Don’t be a rigid-minded

know-it-all.

Be open to all hearts and minds.

Be kind to the nice folks

and the nasty ones.

Be willing to offer

an ear to the

honest and the dishonest.

Listening and loving

bring harmony.

The rigid-minded

are captives to fear.

To listen and love

unbinds them.

–Jim Teeters, Because of This