Dec 31.98: Light For The Day - "Old Year's Resolution"

We have to face our sins 
before we can put them behind us.
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"Be merciful to me, O God,
because of your constant love.
Because of your great mercy wipe away my sins!"
-- Psalm 51:1 (NIV)

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What we propose to do in the new year is not as
important as what we actually do with the old year.
That's why I suggest that instead of thinking about
new year's resolutions, we should think about the
resolution of the old year. 

Sound confusing? Here's what I mean. Before we
make plans for our lives in the new year and in our
service for God, we need to take care of any
problems we still have with the old year.

We should deal with unconfessed sin before we
begin making new plans. 

So as the old year winds down, try getting away 
from everyone else for a little while and have a
meeting with God. Take along a Bible, a pen, and
a blank sheet of paper. First, spend some time
reading and meditating on Psalm 51, David's
prayer of repentance. 

Then write down all of the junk from this past year
that you can think of that you still need to confess
to God. Next, following David's example, ask God's
forgiveness. Then, just to remind yourself that He
will blot out your transgressions (v.1), take that
piece of paper, tear it into bits, and throw it away. 

Now you can start out the new year with a clean
heart. That beats any other resolution you could ever
make. 

-- J.D.B. (ODB)

We're thankful, Lord, that when we fall
We can begin anew
If humbly we confess our sin,
Then turn and follow You. -- Sper
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Psalms 51 (NIV):
..........

1 Have mercy on me, O God, ....

2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me
from my sin. ....

5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time
my mother conceived me. .....

6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;
you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. 

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 

8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice. ....

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, 
and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 

11 Do not cast me from your presence or take
your Holy Spirit from me. 

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and
grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will turn back to you. .............