Devotion Booklets for Seasons of the Church Year Lent 2018 | Page 5

The Remedy for Sin
Friday, February 16th
Psalm 51:7-12
I often take for granted how far medicine has come throughout history. Not that long ago, even
something as simple as a small scrape had the potential to cause an infection that could lead to death.
That potential is still there. However, I rarely think about it. If I am cut by a stray nail, or scrape my
hands on some pavement, I simply tape a band aid over some antibacterial ointment and it goes away.
Even if the infection were to spread, clinics and hospitals handle those kinds of things on a regular
basis. Typically, it doesn’t do any more damage than a leave small scar and a dent in my wallet.
So, if I noticed an infection forming from a scrape, I would be foolish to use my own methods.
Personally, my method would probably be to ignore it, hoping it would go away on its own. If I didn’t
know about medicine, I might also try picking at it or scrubbing at it. But those methods tend to only
make things worse. I know better now. I know the right method and the simple way to heal a cut or
scrape. Why would I use any other way?
The same question could be asked when it comes to sin. Why do I keep trying to fix my sin the way I
think it needs to be fixed rather than the way God says it is actually fixed? Why do I keep trying to cover
it up? Why do I keep trying to ignore it? Why do I keep committing that sin thinking that God won’t
notice or that he will let it go?
Psalm 51 shows me the remedy for sin. It works every time, and it heals my sin completely. The
remedy is God himself. He gives me his Word, which creates a heart of faith. This faith trusts the work
of Jesus, who won salvation for me.
It’s in the joy of this salvation – the work of my Savior – that I find healing for my soul. My God
welcomes me – holy and purified – into his presence. Through Jesus’ work I find the perfect and simple
remedy for my sin.
Prayer: Healing Savior, grant me a spirit that trusts your saving work. Lead me again and again to the
remedy for my sin found only in you.
Activity: Find a cross. Write prayers on sticky notes and place them on the cross as a “band aid.”
Remind yourself each time you see it that Christ is your remedy for sin. Take your hurts to the cross.
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