THURSDAY, September 16
Scripture: Psalms 143:1-2

Verses 1-2 state, “Hear my prayer, O LORD, Give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, And in Your righteousness. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no one living is righteous.” David is beginning an imprecatory prayer by announcing the fact that nobody has done it all right, and that while he needs covenant justice, he cannot in good conscience stand in God’s Presence and ask because of his own failures. Acknowledging and repenting restores us every time. The first application of the sword in “Sure Mercy” cuts away our failures. If we follow David’s model, we would present ourselves before the Lord, stating that we haven’t done it all right, but we would thank Him for the blood of Jesus that cleanses us of all sin and makes it possible for us to come into His presence and demand covenant justice. The beginning of this prayer reflects great humility while stating, in faith, that we accept what the blood has done for us and we stand in His presence in the blood of Jesus with confidence. Faith calls God’s Word into existence.