Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; 19 then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar. Meditation To increase personal gospel shaping we must trust the gospel more through regular repentance. God’s word offers us language to learn repentance through seven penitential Psalms (such as Psalm 32), Psalm 51 being the greatest. God’s word guides to transform our darkest hour into a light of hope through repentance. Nathan the prophet confronted David after his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah (2 Samuel 11-12). David’s steps of repentance are a Spirit inspired path of renewal, teaching the rhythm of regular repentance: Call (1-2): When God’s word convicts us of sin we must call upon God’s grace and mercy- Wash me from my sin! Confession (3-5): We are secure in the gospel to confess our sins against God. Confession is an invitation from the Lord throughout Scripture (see 1 John 1:9), unique among religions. God’s grace is the center of our faith, securing us for confession. Restoration (6-12): Restoration of relationship through cleansing and repairing lead to rejoicing and gladness! A new heart and renewed Spirit is a sign of the restoration of the joy of our salvation! Worship (13-17): Worship flows from renewed hearts both vertically and horizontally, seeking righteousness in relationship and celebrating right sacrifices before God. Intercession (18-19): David ends by praying for city renewal. A renewed heart with renewed worship takes our eyes off ourselves and cultivates a longing to see restoration in our city. God invites you to deeper gospel shaping through learning regular repentance. Will you respond to His gracious invitation? Richly Dwelling -Pray the words of Psalm 51 for yourself, allowing the language to be lyrics for your repentance. -Which section of the Psalm speaks loudest to you? -How does learning repentance free you for intercession? Do you pray for others and your city? What does this reflect about your worship and the renewal of your heart? Key Verse 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Comments are closed.
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AuthorPastor Mitchell celebrates twenty-five years of marriage with Lisa & together they have four adventurous children. |