Create In Me A Clean Heart And Renew My Spirit

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Psalms 51:10-11

In 2 Samuel, it says that when kings normally went out to war, David remained home. Instead of leading the Israelite army into battle, he sent them out under the leadership of Joab.

As David walked on the roof of the palace, he saw a beautiful woman taking a bath. He sent for her, and the two of them slept together. Bathsheba sent David a message, saying, “I’m pregnant.”

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This saga got complicated because he slept with a married woman. David sent her husband to the battle front for him to get killed. That ends the story, right? No! Not by a long shot.

As much as we think we can pull the wool over God’s eyes, think again. The prophet Nathan confronted David about his sin with Bathsheba and the ultimate murder of her husband, Uriah.

When confronting a person about a sin, they will either deny it or show remorse. Some people are sorry because they got caught. Others show sorrow because of their sin.

Psalm 51expresses David’s deep remorse, his plea for forgiveness and cleansing, and his desire for restoration and renewal. He acknowledged his sin and recognized that he had offended God.

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Psalm 51:1

David: Wash and Clean My Heart

He specifically asked God to blot out his transgressions and cleanse him from his sin. Would David sin again? Of course, he would and he did. But at this point, he dealt with this present sin.

Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.
For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
I have done what is evil in your sight. Psalm 51:2-4

No matter how much we try to control our sin, it will keep us at a distance from God. But God doesn’t turn His back on those who come to Him expressing a desire for a clean heart.

David realized that his sinful nature began before he breathed his first breath. Be it King David or you, the Lord honors those who own up to what they did. And will forgive when they seek it.

For I was born a sinner—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there. Psalm 51:5-6

In verse 2, the king asked God to wash him clean from his guilt. In verse 7, he asked the Lord to

purify him from his sins. Then wash him whiter than snow so he could have joy again.

Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice. Psalm 51:8

Did David Learn His Lesson?

Did David learn his lesson? He confessed his wrongdoing and desired to regain God’s favor. So, he sought the Lord even more by repeating his remorse as he asked for a clean heart.

Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:9-11

What makes an effective teacher? A person who studies and knows the material well enough to share it with others. Or someone like David, who can teach from their own experiences.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you. Psalm 51:12-13

What has the Lord brought you through that you can share with others or teach rebels His ways? Did you ever think that God could use your wayward ways to bring others back to Him?

As David picked up all the broken pieces of his life, he gave them to the Lord. He wondered what he could give to God in return. At first, he thought, maybe a sacrifice.

You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Psalm 51:16-17

Broken Pieces for a Clean Heart

He concluded that God wanted the broken pieces he had already given Him. In return, the Lord would give him a clean and pure heart, a heart free of all guilt.

David ended this psalm by understanding that God will accept an animal sacrifice. But only when he offers it with a clean heart and a right spirit.

Today, God doesn’t require us to offer dead sacrifices because Jesus became the acceptable sacrifice for us all. Thus, he will forgive us and make our heart clean every time we go to Him.

God, however, does require us to offer Him a sacrifice. Not a dead one like we read about in the Old Testament. He wants us to become a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Him.

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Romans 12:1

David made a wrong decision and messed up in a big way. We can also make choices that become total messes. When that happens, go to God with a repentant heart just like David did.

A Personal Prayer for a Clean Heart

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. And please, don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. But restore the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.

Lord, thank you for the wonderful example David set for us when it comes to seeking your forgiveness. Clean my heart, Lord, every time I allow it to get dirty.

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