November 21, 2018
The Cadence of Grace
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways. According to your love remember me, for you Lord are good. (Psalm 25:7)
Friend to Friend
“In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalm 25:1-5)
Psalm 25 is simply amazing. David professes his desire and need for God with an authentic voice. I read this and am challenged. I wonder if my desire for God will ever be this strong. I want it to be. I want my hope to be in Him all the day long, yet often get distracted and place my hope in visible, tangible things. Things that don’t require faith.
Oh, that this Psalm would be the cadence of my heart!
And then there’s this doozy, "Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways. According to your love remember me, for you Lord are good." (Psalm 25:7)
According to your love, Lord, remember me. Yes. This. God's love changes everything.
My redemption story is evidence. I tell it in my books, “I Want It All” and "Broken Into Beautiful". I've shared it on television shows, podcast interviews and every time I speak. God's love met me in my biggest mess. In my darkest places of rebellion and hurt. I prayed and confessed to Him as a desperate, broken college girl as David did: Please do not remember the sins of my youth.
And He met me there… in the jagged thick of my ruin, with His bright, healing arms of grace and mercy.
God took my failures and gave me forgiveness. My broken for His beauty. My grime for His grace.
Where are you with grace today?
Do you trust God with the details of your past?
Do you trust Him with the pains of your present?
Psalm 25 says that God remembers us according to His love, not according to our failures and frustrations. And His love changes everything.
"For the sake of your name, Lord, forgive my iniquity though it is great" (Psalm 25:11).
When we go to God in confession we are not forgiven for our own sake. We are forgiven for the sake of His holy name.
Hoping and trusting in Jesus can be hard. Accepting the gift of grace is a big thing. I’ve struggled with feelings of worthlessness, knowing I don’t deserve forgiveness. But the Word of God tells me the penalty for my sin was paid-in-full by Jesus on the cross. He said it this way, “If the son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
When we step into this freedom, we choose to hope in and trust that the grace of Jesus is enough.
Walk forward in grace today, friend. Hold your head high, not because of all you've done or where you've been, but because of the redemption and restoration you have in Christ.
Embrace this freedom, knowing that the mercy-filled, paid-for righteousness in which you stand is an unshakable firm foundation.
No one who hopes in Him will ever be put to shame.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, My hope is in you. Show me your ways. Teach me your paths. Guide me in your truths. Whisper secret love to my heart. Please draw me again to your plans and purposes for the sake of your name, Jesus. Give me courage and grace as I move forward in the freedoms of Your forgiveness.
In Jesus’s Name I pray,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Read Psalm 25 and note all of the listed attributes and characteristics of God. What one thing can you do today to cling to God’s hope? What do you need guidance with? Pause to read and pray through these prompts, then tell me where you are with this today on my blog or in a direct message on Instagram.
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Originally published Wednesday, 21 November 2018.
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