Psalm 21:1 "Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions."

The background of Psalm 51 is most interesting: King David wrote this psalm after committing both murder and adultery in the infamous event known by some as "The Bathsheba Scandal."

Even after David murdered had Bathsheba's husband and fathered her child out of wedlock, David asked God to forgive his sin. David knew that God's love is unfailing and that He is a God of great compassion.

These are important lessons for us, too. Though David first tried to hide his sin, he ultimately repented and confessed his sin to God. In his confession he didn't try to make light of his sin by saying, "everybody does it" or "what goes on in my private life doesn't matter." Rather, David confessed his sin to God knowing full well-and most likely expecting-God's perfect wrath and justice. But ours is a God who forgives, no matter shameful our sin.

Even in the deepest depths of your despair, you can call out to God and have faith in His unfailing mercy and love.

Today's Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 1-2    Luke 2:1-24

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