Weekly Devotion
August 3, 2025

Confession Shower

Have mercy on me, O God,
because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
blot out the stain of my sins.
Wash me clean from my guilt.
Purify me from my sin.
For I recognize my rebellion… Psalm 51

Ahh. Home again from a lovely four-day camping trip. Lots of sweaty hiking and hours in the lake. And no showers. Boy, do I feel dirty - and my hair is stiff and uncooperative. How wonderful that first home shower feels!

For me, this is a pretty vivid physical identification of the sentiments expressed in Psalm 51. But minus the beautiful camping trip. I feel dirty and paralyzed when I hang on to my sin – when I resist confessing and repenting to Jesus. I get grumpy, apathetic, and demotivated. I read my Bible less and can’t bring myself to pray. If I have sinned against a family member or a friend, it’s hard to look them in the eye and to have a conversation. In my defensiveness, I judge the person I have wronged.

I need a shower!

Recognizing and confessing my sin to my Saviour, and accepting His forgiveness, releases me from its power, softens me toward the Lord and others, and gives me peace. I get lined up again with His perfect plans for my life. And I am again awash with gratefulness for my Lord and His work in my world. “Wash me and I will be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7

Additionally, “Confessing our sins to one another is a relationship-healing practice rooted in humility. It demonstrates that I value you, your feelings, and your boundaries more than my own need to “be right” or to feel good about myself.” (From Michele Morin)

Sweet Jesus, help me to own up to the dirt in my heart and actions. Guide me to repentance for the areas in my life that You want to wash clean. Thank you for Your promise of forgiveness every time I ask.

Written by
Naomi Warkentin