Only You

“Iniquities overwhelm me; only you can atone for our rebellions. How happy is the one you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We will be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple.”

– Psalms 65:3-4 CSB

Everyone of us is guilty of sin and we fall short of the standard of a holy and righteous God. One sure indication the Lord is present is an acute awareness of our sin. Just as Isaiah confessed in God’s presence, “Woe is me, for I am undone, because I am man of unclean lips…” (Is. 6:5), so too the psalmist is overwhelmed by the reality of his own sin and comes to the rightful conclusion that “only You God can make things right.” The Lord would not have us remain under the weight of guilt and shame, bemoaning our past mistakes, or shackled by the lifeless chains of legalism and religion which say we need to work our way into God’s favor. He wants to draw us near on His terms, and to find our freedom in His Son, Jesus, who has already made things right, and is the only One that satisfies the Father.

He would have us know our desperate need for Him and to receive His Son who took all of our shame upon Himself. He would have you know that His favor is upon those who are found in Jesus and in whom Jesus lives. Let your service and devotion be a matter of freedom, let it be a matter of love, let it be out of joy and gratitude for the forgiveness that God has already made available to you through the sacrifice that Jesus made on the Cross when He gave His life as payment for sin once and for all. Rejoice in the God of your salvation, in His goodness, and be glad!

Let’s pray…

Lord Jesus, thank you for taking my shame away and welcoming me, a sinner, into your Kingdom and loving favor! I will be content with being found in You, and ask that You live and have your way inside of me. In Your precious name, amen.