My sins are my enemies. My body is dead because of sin (Rom. 8:10). My old nature is nothing but sin (Rom. 7:18). My sins against my God and Savior leave me confused and fearful. They rob me of my peace, joy and communion with my God. My sins make me God’s enemy. They overcome me when I least expect it. Why am I so bad? What can be done? I can’t deliver myself. Even when I anticipate sin, it seems to win. I need a strong Savior!
Only the LORD can deliver me from my strong enemy. Only He can forgive my sins. I need the LORD to go before my enemies and prevent them from overcoming me (Psalm 35:3). There is every reason in me why God should give me over to my enemies. There is no reason in me why He should save me from my sins. I have made myself the object of His just wrath. My own admission clears God if He were to condemn me (Psa. 51:4; Rom. 3:4). I need the LORD to put away my sins, to not remember my sins against Him, to not bring upon me what I deserve. I need the LORD to do all to save me from my sins. I need Him to save me for His name’s sake, for His glory, to fulfill His purpose, in fulfillment of His promises, to make known His glorious perfections (Isa. 43:25-26).
He is God alone. He will do all that pleases Him. Therefore, I pray, “LORD, for your name’s sake, deliver me from my sins. Purge away my sins. Do not remember my sins. Go before the strong enemy of my sins. Do not let my sins overcome me. Deliver me from the evil in my heart. Deliver me from evil within and from evil without. Do not cast me away. Deliver me from the wrath I deserve, which would separate me from you. Gracious LORD and only Savior, do it for your name’s sake! The precious blood of Christ is my only hope" (1 Pet. 1:18-20; Heb. 1:3).