March Madness

I found this the other day while trying to organize some of the files on my computer, and I don’t think I ever posted it.

 

I became a Christian when I was seventeen. I know people who made that decision at even an earlier age. Our time of needing to ask God for even greater forgiveness still lay in the future.

 

1 John 2:1-2:

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

 

1 Samuel 16:12-13:

So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

 

Psalm 51: 1-4,10-13: 

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.

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.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.

 

The Holy Spirit came to David when he was very young. Still he sinned before God after that. He prayed for God’s forgiveness and cleansing. With boldness he asked God to restore the joy of salvation to him. He knew that that would cause him to share God’s love with others.

 

Psalm 139: 1-4,15-17:

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts, God!

    How vast is the sum of them!

 

Before we were born, God knew every day of our lives. Even the sinful ones. He knows everything we say and everything we do. Yet, he loves us still. And Jesus sits beside God even now to ask his father to forgive us.