A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. – Psalm 51:17
David wrote Psalm 51, seeking forgiveness and restoration with God after his sin with Bathsheba was exposed. David knew that sacrifices and offerings would not fix the problem, that it was a heart issue (Psalm 51:16). He needed to be restored to God in his heart, mind, and soul. He knew that God would not turn away from a heart turned to Him. He prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).
Jesus became the sacrifice for the sin of humanity. God the Father still looks for that broken and contrite heart to come in the name of Jesus. In His Word, He promises, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Coming to Jesus gives His followers the clean heart and right spirit that David so desperately prayed for. Right standing with God is the precious gift that the celebration of the Incarnation represents.
All people, even the most dedicated and faithful believers, think, do, and say things that dishonor God. How wonderful it is to be able to come to Him for forgiveness knowing that in Christ He forgives and cleanses! Thank Him today for His merciful gift. Be assured that, no matter how many times you mess things up, you have a loving Heavenly Father who receives you with open arms and knows how to make things right. As you pray for the nation, intercede for those whose lives are being damaged by sin, that they would turn to the Savior and receive forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration.
Today’s Verse: Psalm 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 John 1:1-10
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
