Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life. Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. Don't look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health. God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Psalm 51: 7-10 The Message
December is a month of paradoxes. On the one hand, it is a month of holidays, including Hanukkah and Christmas. The last month of the year is also a time for family gatherings, celebration of Advent, Christmas carols, vacations and fun. As one of the Christmas songs reminds us, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”
It can also be a time when we reflect upon our actions, and our choices throughout the year. Some things we might have done better, or not done at all. Here in Psalm 51, David is reflecting upon his own actions, and the need to be cleansed and washed. King David is confessing his sins before God. He had just been caught in the sin of adultery with Bathsheba, which he compounded by having her husband Uriah murdered. His trusted friend confronted him with the truth, and David broke down. He confessed “the chaos of his life” to the Lord.
It can be easy to look around at other people, and think that they have it all together. They look like there are no problems, and life is perfect. Let’s be honest, though, does that really exist? Of course not! Usually, we don’t have a window into other people’s lives. Also, we seldom throw open our window so others can see into all of the details of our lives. That could be too vulnerable. Keeping up the facade is almost easier. Yet David was held accountable for his actions. He realized that even though he may have kept his sin secret from almost every person, God saw it all. It is the same way with us. God sees every detail of our lives.
The truth is that most people realize there are imperfections in their lives. When we are truly honest with ourselves, we see areas where we need the Lord’s help to clean up our mess. We need to bring those things before the Lord. The old saying is true that “Confession is good for the soul.” It provides us with the opportunity to literally come clean with our sin. Also, the Lord requires us to acknowledge our sins. Once we confess them to God, He is always willing to take us back. The Lord will cleanse us, and offer us His forgiveness.
As Christians, it is essential that we convey this message to the world. Christians are never perfect, but they are forgiven.
This theme of confession and the truth of our lives is part of a song by Christian artist Matthew West. Here are some of the lyrics..
Lie number one you're supposed to have it all together
And when they ask how you're doing
Just smile and tell them, "Never better"
Lie number 2 everybody's life is perfect except yours
So keep your messes and your wounds
And your secrets safe with you behind closed doors
Truth be told
The truth is rarely told, now
I say I'm fine, yeah I'm fine oh I'm fine, hey I'm fine but I'm not
I'm broken
And when it's out of control I say it's under control but it's not
And you know it
I don't know why it's so hard to admit it
When being honest is the only way to fix it
There's no failure, no fall
There's no sin you don't already know
So let the truth be told.
Here is a link to the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4wYkS8Z3Io
Matthew West - Truth Be Told (Official Music Video) Watch the official music video for “Truth be Told” now! Listen to #TruthBeTold everywhere: https://matthewwest.lnk.to/BrandNewID!TBTMV Connect with Matthew: Email List: https://matthewwest.lnk.to/emailsignupID!TBTMV Facebook: https://matthewwest.lnk.to/FBID!TBTMV Twitter: https://matthewwest.lnk.to/TWID!TBTMV Instagram: https://matthewwest ... www.youtube.com
As followers of Christ, we rejoice in the truth that we are not perfect, and that the word “chaos” may describe our lives more often than we would care to admit. However, God loves us. He sent his Son to redeem us from every sin, even the messy, embarrassing sins. We rejoice in that saving truth. Let it be told…
Prayer
Lord, You do see it all. There are no nooks or crannies of my life that You do not see. Yet You still want to have a relationship with me. Thank You for Your pure clarity about what You expect from me. Help me to have the courage and conviction to not only admit my sin to You, but to those who watch the steps I take as a Christian. Help my heart to be a forgiving one as well, towards those who have hurt or wronged me. As you find the grace to forgive me, may I do so to others.
Faithfully I pray this prayer in the name of Your son who saves me from all my sins, Jesus Christ, Amen
