Devotion: You may have heard King David in the Bible referred to as “a man after God’s own heart.” And he is referred to that way with good reason— because the Bible says that about him. David was a king in Israel, and he used this position to honor and glorify God. He was a much better ruler than Israel had seen before. But he was also a flawed and sinful man. He was human, after all. In the midst of the struggles that come with the flesh, David was a man that was in pursuit of the Lord.
He wrote many of the psalms in the Bible. The Psalms can be a variety of things, including songs of praise, thanksgiving, or even lament. David also wrote psalms seeking repentance and forgiveness. Often, when we have unconfessed sin in our life, it causes anxiety. But as soon as we give it over to God, we are made clean and can experience peace. So today, let’s read through Psalm 51. It is a psalm written by David where he is writing with honesty and seeking restoration. As we read it, we can make it our prayer as well.
Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.
May it please you to prosper Zion,
to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
in burnt offerings offered whole;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Thank you, God, for your endless grace and your unfailing love.
Reflect:
- What sins (past or present) are you holding on to that you can give over to God?
- As you give them over, pray that God would fill you with His peace and the assurance of His grace.