Psalm 25:1-10

 “Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions: According to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness sake, O Lord.” (Psalm 25:7; NRSV)

The Lenten season calls us to reflection on our lives, and to repentance for our sins, known and unknown. In this kind of self –examination, we may be tempted to see God as the world often portrays Him—someone waiting to pounce on us with wrath and punishment for our sins!  The psalmist declares here(and other places, also)that this is NOT the God of the psalmist’s experience. The God of whom the psalmist writes—and to whom all scripture attests—is a very different God. This God is the One whom:

1. We may approach in confidence, as the psalmist does.

2. We may confidently ask to “…not remember…” our sins.

3. We may trust to remember us in steadfast love, not because of who we are, but because of His own goodness.

During this somber, and soul-searching season, remember that however you find yourself, God is willing and ready to remember you—not through the way you see yourself, but through His steadfast love and goodness.

O God, grant us to come confidently to you, trusting in your steadfast love, regardless of who we think we are, or what we may have done, or failed to do.  Amen

-Mary Parrish, St. Thomas Episcopal Church