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Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love...For I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight (Psalm 51:1,3,4)

In Christ\u2019s church, this is a well known and well-loved Psalm. It is often used in worship liturgies during the season of Lent, with its propensity for introspection. It raises eyebrows when it is used during Advent, a season of hope rather than self-examination. However, if we accept the Biblical diagnosis that our problem is our rebellion against God (Genesis 3), then this Psalm points the way towards Advent hope.

The angels declare unequivocally that Jesus came to save us from our sin (Matthew 1:21). Both John (Matthew 3:1) and Jesus (Matthew 4:17) declare that repentance is required to enter the kingdom of heaven. Salvation and repentance are woven throughout this song.

Joel, an Old Testament prophet, put it this way, "Yet even now, says the Lord, repent and return to me with all your heart" (2:13). We return because God both invites and calls us back. Picture God walking in the garden after Adam and Eve had eaten of that notorious fruit and calling out, "Where are you?" or picture the father, in Luke 15, looking for his son.

When they ate from the tree, our first parents turned away from God, just like that son in the parable. When God calls, He invites us to turn back toward Him. Repentance is part of the journey back to God.

In Psalm 51 David confesses his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband. He also prays to God, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation." David, in his sin, had lost the joy of living with God, of knowing intimacy with him.

This song mentions that God "desires truth in the inner parts." This truth only comes through the ministry of the Spirit who reveals why we are running after things apart from God. What are our motivations? What things allure us away from God? What things are giving us false satisfaction? Why do we respond the way we do to stress? Why can we not get along with that one person?

This truth most often comes in the quiet. Let us take the time to be still. And know that the Lord is God. Let the Spirit soften our hearts so that we can receive the truth about ourselves. When we offer ourselves to God in repentance, he forgives and renews our joy.

Repentance gives birth to hope. Why? Because in repentance, we stop looking at ourselves for help and begin looking God's way. God points us to Jesus and says there is the hope for your troubles; there is your salvation. Redemption is all laid out for us in Christ. We do not have to earn it, we do not have to find it, we just need to receive it.

Redemption does not come because we have repented properly or confessed all our sins. Salvation is a gift that comes freely from the mercy of God. David prays for it and receives it. Its freedom and grace are fully on display in Jesus Christ.

The road back to God is the real journey of both Lent and Advent. It is the journey of the Christian life. This is a good road, often difficult, but filled with grace, love, and hope. The journey is always worth it because the Spirit guides us, Jesus walks with us, and the Father calls us and receives us home.