SCRIPTURE: Psalm 51
In 2 Samuel 11 we find the story of David fling with Bathsheba and his murderous coverup; in 2 Samuel 12 we read how God uses Nathan to ‘bazinga’ him (its a great story, read it!)
Psalm 51 is the result of David’s exposure and humbling; he comes clean to God.
God is not surprised by our sin, and in reality it is even worse that we recognize.
God does not delight in tormenting us for our failure or crime, but He does want us to be honest about it.
‘I know that you want truth to be in my heart…’ what is the truth of my heart?
Like the addict, we cannot be helped until we face and admit the full extent of our problem.
Denial leads to defeat, honesty brings hope and healing.
If you’ve ever had a guilty conscience (often we don’t until it is exposed, like David), you know how it stains the mind, how it burdens the soul, and how you want to be washed, cleansed.
David feels the burden of his shame and guilt (and cannot change what happened), but he also feels desperate hope that God can help him deal with it.
Like Paul (another murderer), like David, God wants to show mercy to you and me too (and release us to be spokespersons for His mercy), but first we need to come clean, to admit our shame and guilt, and desperately seek His healing and hope.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
God, create a pure heart in me. Give me a new spirit that is faithful to you. Open my lips so that I can speak. Then my mouth will praise you.
Observation/Application
Coming clean.
David poured out his heart before the living God and asked for a ‘new heart’ that would remain true to God. The old heart was out of sync with God but he needed to be in tune with God because was his Sustainer.
Thank You for the sacrifice of Jesus who has made me clean in Your presence, Lord. Help me daily to walk in Your ‘SonShine’ so that others may hear Your praises from my mouth. Once again I am reminded that I am always in Your presence and I need to surrender all.
Prayer
Create in me a clean heart O God so that every day is a day of the Lord. This is the day You have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it for You are my King.
Create in me a clean heart, oh God
And renew a right spirit within me
Create in me a clean heart, oh God
And renew a right spirit within me
Cast me not away from Thy presence, oh Lord
And take not Thy holy spirit from me
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation
And renew a right spirit within me
Create in me a clean heart, oh God
And renew a right spirit within me
Create in me a clean heart, oh God
And renew a right spirit within me
Cast me not away from Thy presence, oh Lord
Take not Thy holy spirit from me
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation
And renew a right spirit within me
Create in me a clean heart, oh God
And renew a right spirit within me
Create in me a clean heart, oh God
And renew a right spirit within me
Cast me not away from Thy presence, oh Lord
Take not Thy holy spirit from me
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation
And renew a right spirit within me