Every time we gather around God’s Word the Lord is convicting us of sin and offering us the new hope of life which comes to us through the saving merits of Jesus Christ. Our response is to thank our heavenly Father for His saving acts. The words of Psalm 50 are commonly used in the words of the Offertory in our liturgy which is sung in response to God’s Word as it is shared with us through the preaching of God’s Word.
A clean heart is created within us and a renewed right spirit is given to us every single time the Lord hides His face from our sins as He blots out all our iniquities. Our sin is purged and we are made clean as the Savior washes away from us all our sin. Having been restored and forgiven we hear the song of joy and gladness. Jesus acts alone for us bearing our sin as He went to the cross. Jesus’ work on that Friday makes it all good.
Hymn: Lord to You I Make Confession (Lutheran Service Book 608:4)
Lord, in You I cast my burden-
Sink it in the deepest sea!
Let me know Your gracious pardon,
Cleanse me from iniquity.
Let Your Spirit leave me never,
Make me only Yours forever.
We beseech Thee, O Lord God, to turn Thy face from our sins, and to blot out all our transgressions; and as the publican, who stood afar off, was heard in his humility, so hear us not for our own merits, but for the merits of Him who, being co-equal with Thee, His Father, yet for our sake took upon Him the form of a servant, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen 1
Support us, O Lord, with Your gracious favor through the fast we have begun; that as we observe it by bodily self-denial, so we may fulfill it with inner sincerity of heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. 2
1. Collect © 2005 Lutheran Liturgical Prayer Brotherhood
2. Collect for Friday after Ash Wednesday, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm
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