TODAY IN THE WORD
Michael Wong, a chemical engineer at Rice University, has discovered a new way to clean up toxic waste—with gold dust. He combined gold with the metal palladium, then used the mixture to dust toxic chemicals. The dust broke down the chemicals into a gas that’s not harmful to the environment. His “gold detergent dust” could be used to clean up cancer-causing waste at 27,000 toxic sites nationwide at costs much lower than other methods. One day it might even be used to provide purified drinking water in developing nations that do not have enough.

Just as Wong’s gold dust cleans up toxic chemicals, in the same way God’s forgiveness purifies sin in our life. You might be surprised that Psalm 51, David’s well known confession of adultery with Bathsheba, is part of this month’s study. It teaches lessons about sin, repentance, and getting our hearts right with God . . . but joy?

The key is verse 12, which shows that confession of sin is all about restoring the joy of our salvation. In New Testament terms, we were filled with joy the day we trusted Christ and were saved from our sins. But when we sinned again and offended the very God who had saved us, joy dimmed, as well it should. Only confession and repentance can restore that joy.

In this psalm David prayed for his relationship with God to be restored. He had sinned—only God could give him a clean heart. He had yielded to temptation and disobeyed—only God could renew a steadfast spirit within him. He deserved to be cast from God’s presence, but pleaded for mercy. He had offended God and deserved punishment, but he put his hope in God’s unfailing love to forgive him (v. 1; see Isa. 43:25). As a forgiven sinner, he would be the best evidence and testimony for God’s lovingkindness. He would be a joyful messenger calling others to repent, be forgiven, and have the joy of their salvation restored as well.

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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
God knew we would struggle with sin in the course of our Christian lives. Until He returns and we dwell with Him forever, it’s inevitable. He’s provided confession as a type of prayer and spiritual discipline by which we can repent, seek forgiveness, and enjoy a restored relationship with Him. Without Him, we would still be lost and spiritually dead. With Him, we have life and hope and joy, even when we mess up and think, say, or do things that anger Him. “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift” (2 Cor. 9:15)!

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