Psalm 51 -- Our Heart's Cry

“Wipe out all my wrongs.  Wash away all my guilt and make me clean again!”

David’s heart was crying out to God’s heart.  God’s laws had been violated.  David knew he’d done it intentionally, and “no atonement was provided in the law for such deliberate sins (Lev 20:10; Num. 35:31-32).  David could appeal only to God’s mercy, grace, and love,” my commentary said.

“He had deliberately lied to himself (‘I can get away with this’) and to the people, and he tried to lie to God.  For nearly a year he attempted to cover up his sins, but God does not allow His children to sin successfully.  Now he asked God for truth and wisdom in his innermost being.”

David wanted to be restored to God.  In verse 10, David prays, “Create in me a pure heart, God, and make my spirit right again.  Do not send me away from You or take Your Holy Spirit away from me.  Give me back the joy of Your salvation.  Keep me strong by giving me a willing spirit.”  “He wants desperately to be clean again in God’s eyes, yet he was incapable of changing his own heart.  Only God could work the miracle,” my commentary said.

“It isn’t enough simply to confess sin and experience God’s cleansing; we must also let Him renew us within so that we will conquer sin and not succumb to temptation.  The Lord did forgive David but permitted him to suffer the tragic consequences of his sins,” my commentary added.

David wanted to be used by God again.  He prayed, “Lord, let me speak so I may praise You.”  He knew God wanted him to have a repentant heart and a spirit yielded to Him.  “God could not receive broken animals as sacrifices (Mal. 1:6-8), but He would receive a broken heart.”  That’s where David was and that’s how God accepts us today, right where we are, not where He wants us to be.

Father, I’m thankful that Your Holy Spirit dwells within me and grieves my own spirit when I have sinned.  I’m thankful that my heart hurts when I’ve sinned, instead of allowing me to enjoy it.  That’s how I know I am Your child.  Thank You for Your grace and love and forgiveness.  Create in me a pure heart, God.  Make my Spirit right again when I’ve sinned.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford