Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man shows him his counsel?
-Isaiah 40:13

Immortal, Invisible, God Only-Wise, to you whom belong all honor and praise, I direct my prayer and confession.

With such a lofty address as this, what hope can I have to be heard? I confess, the taste of fresh sin lingers on my lips, Lord, and would I dare to hope the thrice holy God of all creation would hear, care, or act according to my words? And yet, your servant David, though faithful in so many ways yet also a murderous adulterer, was nonetheless persuaded that “you will answer me, O God” (Psalm 17:6). Truly, he knew your steadfast love and mercy: “I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin” (Psalm 32:5). Yet, it was not on his advice that you forgave him and heard his prayers. Mercy is not our idea. The prayers of those you have made righteous indeed hold great power, but salvation and grace are of The Lord. Even as I utter to you what I believe to be right and true and of your holy, perfect word, my own lips are cut open by what they have declared. Isaiah, too, must have been familiar the pointed edge of the truth. He was one of the men through whom you spoke the most, and yet he knew the corruptions of his own lips (Isaiah 6:5). 

This morning, merciful Father, when I knew not what to confess to you, it was not long before my sin provided me with new material. As I walked with the wife you gave me and the blessed gift of our son, I was slow to listen, impatient and harsh in my response. It matters not the content of the discussion, what matters is that I, a mere man, acted as though none may counsel me. I thought my own spirit immeasurable and failed to acknowledge your majesty. In truth, I am in great need of godly counsel, especially that of my wife. Mercifully regard me, God, for this and my other transgressions. And let faith prevail over guilt, that in Christ you may render absolute forgiveness and, by your Spirit’s empowerment, heedless sin may be slain in me. Let me be a man “quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19). Sanctify me for your name’s sake. Amen.

Doxology

Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour, All for love’s sake becamest poor;
Thrones for a manger didst surrender, Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor.
-Frank Houghton, Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendour