Prayer For Wisdom And Forgiveness
“Show me, Lord, my life’s end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting my life is.
You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,
even those who seem secure.
Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;
in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth
without knowing whose it will finally be.
But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.
Save me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the scorn of fools." - Psalm 39:4-8
In this Psalm, the Psalmist is dealing with the purpose of life. These verses remind us that our days are “handbreadths” (v5), or a couple of inches in the grander scheme of life. As the writer, he realizes that meaning is found in God (v.7). He then prays for forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
His prayer in verse 13, “Remove Your grace from me,” indicates to us that although he is in a covenant relationship with God, he has not received forgiveness from the sin that controls him.
Forgiveness is three-dimensional: downward to you from God, inward to yourself, and then outward to others. They are all interconnected.
What are we saying to God when He forgives us but we cannot forgive ourselves? Are we saying that we have a higher standard than God? “God, You can forgive me, but I am a little to holy to do the same.” As we cry out to God, He will forgive us based on the cross. We then need to be humble enough to forgive ourselves.
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting my life is.
You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,
even those who seem secure.
Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;
in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth
without knowing whose it will finally be.
But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.
Save me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the scorn of fools." - Psalm 39:4-8
In this Psalm, the Psalmist is dealing with the purpose of life. These verses remind us that our days are “handbreadths” (v5), or a couple of inches in the grander scheme of life. As the writer, he realizes that meaning is found in God (v.7). He then prays for forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
His prayer in verse 13, “Remove Your grace from me,” indicates to us that although he is in a covenant relationship with God, he has not received forgiveness from the sin that controls him.
Forgiveness is three-dimensional: downward to you from God, inward to yourself, and then outward to others. They are all interconnected.
What are we saying to God when He forgives us but we cannot forgive ourselves? Are we saying that we have a higher standard than God? “God, You can forgive me, but I am a little to holy to do the same.” As we cry out to God, He will forgive us based on the cross. We then need to be humble enough to forgive ourselves.
Recent
Archive
2026
January
February
March
April
Leadership Principles of Jesus #3Leadership Principles of Jesus #4Leadership Principles of Jesus #5The Power of TruthThe Deity of ChristThe Incarnation—God With UsLíderes que perduran, primera parteLideri care rezistă, Partea 1Líderes que Duram, Parte 1वे अगुवे जो टिके रहते हैं, भाग 1القادة الذين يدومون الجزء الأولLeaders Who Last Part 1Jesus Died for Our SinsResurrection and AscensionOvercoming the WorldThe Promise of PeaceThe Peace of GodThe Spirit of TruthPeace in the Midst of ConflictLíderes que perduran, parte 2Lideri care rezistă, Partea a 2-aLíderes que Duram, Parte 2वे अगुवे जो टिके रहते हैं, भाग 2القادة الذين يدومون الجزء الثانيLeaders Who Last Part 2Facing Doubt with Truth
May
The Implications of Believing in GodThe Denial of God’s WordEmbracing the Truth for PeaceThe Tabernacle and the VeilThe Sacrifice of JesusBold Access to GodLíderes que perduran, parte 3Lideri care rezistă, Partea a 3-aLíderes que Duram, Parte 3वे अगुवे जो टिके रहते हैं, भाग 3القادة الذين يدومون الجزء الثالثLeaders Who Last Part 3Peace in the Midst of TrialsPeace with GodThe Peace of GodLiving in PeaceComfort in Troubled TimesThe Promise of JoyJoy Beyond CircumstancesLeaders Who Last Part 4Líderes que perduran, parte 4Lideri care rezistă, Partea a 4-aLíderes que Duram, Parte 4वे अगुवे जो टिके रहते हैं, भाग 4القادة الذين يدومون الجزء الرابعThe Joy of Access to GodOvercoming Internal StrugglesThe Shepherd Who ComfortsExperiencing the Fullness of JoyBuilding RelationshipsThe Reality of PersecutionObedience through LoveLideri care rezistă, Partea a 5-aLíderes que perduran, parte 5वे अगुवे जो टिके रहते हैं, भाग 5Líderes que Duram, Parte 5القادة الذين يدومون الجزء الخامسLeaders Who Last Part 5The Importance of CommunityLove Your NeighborThe Reality of BelongingCelebration of CommunityExpecting OppositionThe Power of Seed PlantingStanding Firm in FaithLíderes que perduran, parte 6Lideri care rezistă, Partea a 6-aLíderes que Duram, Parte 6वे अगुवे जो टिके रहते हैं, भाग 6القادة الذين يدومون الجزء السادسLeaders Who Last Part 6Choosing Your MasterThe Example of HumilityThe Ultimate SacrificeResponding to God’s Call
No Comments