“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”
As we continue our journey we have just been reminded that we are dependant upon our Father for all of our needs…our “daily bread” which comes when we experience His very presence. Although His presence brings comfort it also brings a sense of our own shortcomings. When Isaiah saw the Lord he was overwhelmed with the holiness of God and with his own sinfulness. He cried out,
“Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips.” (Isaiah 6:5)
Like Isaiah we have come into the presence of our loving Father in heaven and we have asked for His Name to be lifted up. We have prayed that His mighty Kingdom would come. We asked that His will would be revealed and that it would prevail in our lives. This focus on His holiness exposes our “trespasses”. The Bible tells us that we are sinners and “all for short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), but when we come into His presence we are confronted with our imperfections. Therefore, we must cry out,
“Forgive us our trespasses!”
John says, “But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Our Father is a forgiving and compassionate God. He loves you unconditionally. Before you came to Him, He was calling you into relationship. He created you…He loves you…and He wants to take care of you. This includes your sinfulness…you trespasses. He rescued you from the bondage of your sin by coming to this world and making forgiveness possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus. He did this because He loved you already…in the midst of your uncleanliness…scarred by your own sin of selfishness and pride. He has loved you since He thought to create you. Yes, that’s right, you were His idea and He is the One who brought you into this world!
“Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16)
Today as you come before the throne, come with confidence that your Father in heaven loves you and confess your shortcomings to Him. Ask for the forgiveness that He has made available to you. Allow Him to cleanse you of all your unrighteousness. And remember that He does not do this so that He can love you…He does it BECAUSE He loves you.