Which blessing do we “overlook”?

We live surrounded by people who make us feel better about our individual sins. We have also made a habit of comparing our choices to the sins of others. It isn’t hard to make ourselves feel better when another person’s struggle becomes public.

So many sins can be accomplished with a private thought, a quick action, and a justification later. Every one of us sins. We know the Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). But we also rejoice that his mercies are “new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23) and that “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Our acceptance of our sins is a huge warning sign. We are in danger of placing our confidence in our forgiveness rather than allowing God’s forgiveness to lead us to our repentance and a truly new day of obedience.

King David understood this truth and gave us one of our greatest psalms. He had sinned, and the consequences of that sin were huge. He prayed, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit” (Psalm 51:12). This was King David’s prayer: He asked to be restored and requested that God would hold him up with a “willing spirit.” What was David asking for?

David wanted God to give him a spirit that was willing to obey him, willing to say no when tempted again. David knew the great blessing of salvation was a changed life, not just a forgiven life. David wanted a willing spirit that would enable him to have a changed life. Living with wisdom is a path to God’s blessings. The blessing of salvation is the opportunity to live a new life. Wisdom is becoming a person with a willing spirit to obey God.