Message #15 (of 20) from the PrayerPower radio series "Confession"

by Kaye Johns

"Wash your hands, you sinners, and let your hearts be filled with God alone to make them pure and true to him. Let there be tears for the wrong things you have done. Let there be sorrow and sincere grief." [James 4:8-9, TLB] James is describing the brokenness of a heart that loves God, yet finds itself enmeshed in sin, the brokenness that comes through confession, and the realization of our unworthiness in our sin, and the unmerited mercy of God.

Do you remember the brokenness of the tax collector who stood in prayer, beating his chest in sorrow, as he prayed, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner."? [Luke 18:13, TLB] Or the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears? [Luke 7:38] Jesus pointed them out as examples of true humility.

And what about Peter? Can you imagine anyone more broken over disappointing the Lord than Peter was when the cock crowed after he had denied knowing the Lord for the third time? Isn’t it a beautiful illustration for us all, that after Jesus’ resurrection, the first disciple He went to, by himself, was Peter. In Luke we read that the two on the road to Emmaus went back to Jerusalem, "where the eleven disciples and the other followers of Jesus greeted them with these words, ‘The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter!’" [Luke 24:34, TLB] Don’t you just know, Jesus went to Peter first, to assure him He still loved him? And forgave him? Jesus restored their relationship, as He will ours. And our prayers will be heard.

Pray with me now -- Lord, when we’re broken, we know You will come and refresh us and restore us and fill us up with Your incredible, everlasting love. Amen.

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