Some passages of Scripture hit deep. Others open my eyes to God’s heart and how we can relate to Him. For me, Psalm 51 does all of that. It didn't lead me to repentance, but it helped me understand what had happened when I was born again.

The morning that I gave my life to Christ, I was convicted by the Holy Spirit for the first time. I knew I had sinned against the Lord. But even in that knowing, I felt God's love, the hope of His mercy, and a second chance, not guilt or condemnation. That evening, my mentor told me to go home and read Psalm 51. Over and over again.

And so I did.