“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14

Sin hurts. Sometimes the pain is mental, sometimes the pain is physical, sometimes the pain is in your relationships, sometimes it is all these things and more… and sin is always spiritually painful. Sometimes sin may feel good for a moment and sometimes we may feel like we’ve gotten away unscathed this time. But the truth is, sin always hurts. It hurts you, it hurts the people you love, and it hurts your relationship with God. Sin hurts.

In the midst of our sin, the pain, shame, and hopelessness seem overwhelming. The darkness can consume you. So, what can you do? How can you be healed? If this is your struggle today, I implore you to stop whatever you’re doing and read Psalm 51 right now. There is only one way to overcome the pain that your sin causes: cry out to the Lord! You will never be good enough to make up for your sin. You will never heal or comfort yourself in your pain. The only answer is to cry out to God. Lean on his compassion, grace, and mercy. Humble yourself and pray; he will hear you and he will heal you.

Kind, loving, and compassionate Father, I cry out to You today: Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithful love; according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion. Completely wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin (Psalm 51:1-2).

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon