Justice Calls, Mercy Answers (1/18/2026)

“Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions” (Psalm 51:01).

Guilt is a powerful emotion, and King David is feeling the weight of his heinous sin at this point in his life. In fact, much of the remainder of David’s life was spent in regret because of his immorality.

It would seem the inevitability of guilt would place an automatic restraint on every child of God when enticed to give in to any temptation the devil throws out. That, however, seems not to be the case in many situations—it certainly was not with David.

Realizing his failure to follow God’s established moral law, David appeals to God’s love and mercy. We should be filled with deep gratitude to realize we have the same Throne to approach in any time of weakness and transgression.

It is God’s “lovingkindness” and “tender mercies” that keep us going throughout our lives—God gave us Jesus who sacrificed Himself so that, through sincere repentance and confession, we can be relieved from the burden of our transgressions and retain the hope of Heaven for eternity.