Hobart Herd Devotional – Psalms 51
This Psalm is a plea for forgiveness as David confesses his sin to God. The story is found in 2 Samuel 12, where Nathan is sent by God to confront David in his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah. Nathan told him a story about a rich man, with abundant sheep and lambs who took the only lamb, a family pet and member of a poor man and his family, to feed a traveler who dropped by for a visit. David was livid at the actions of the rich man and wanted to know who this was so that David could make him repay 4 times over the lamb that was stolen. Nathan then told him that he was that man in taking Bathsheba and setting up the murder of Uriah her husband. This is a song/poem that reveals a true heart of confession, repentance and petition for restoration. It reveals a God who can take any sin and has provided for forgiveness when true confession and repentance happens.
The first 2 verses provide the basis of a prayer of confession, which is the loving kindness, compassion, and mercy of God in His cleansing our hearts from sin. Without these basic truths, there would be no opportunity for cleansing, forgiveness and restoration of relationship with the Lord. There are some clear doctrinal truths taught to us in this Psalm. There is the truth of being conceived in sin and our sin being always before the Lord.(vs. 3-5) The need for us to acknowledge and confess our sins before the Lord and the hopelessness in our own ability to deal with our sin before God.
In verses 7-15 we find the great truths of God’s ability to cleanse and bring the joy of healing and forgiveness (vs. 7-9). How does God do this: Psalms 51:10-12, 10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.(KJV) Praise God He creates in us a clean heart in which His Spirit can reside and restore us in the joy and peace of His salvation and keep us walking in His Spirit by faith. Are you broken by the sins and decisions of your past? God has the answer for your sin and guilt in the life giving power of the Lord Jesus Christ. He has provided the atoning sacrifice for sin(1 John 4:10) through the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord. This allows God to be righteous and just in His judgment of sin, and merciful and gracious in forgiving, cleansing and restoring us to right relationship with Him for all eternity. 1 John 1:9 tells us: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”(KJV)
What is our part? Psalms 51:17, The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.(KJV) Are we broken and repentant for our sin? God provides cleansing, forgiveness, removal of guilt, and a restoration of the joy of our salvation. David is known in scripture as a man after God’s heart, not because of a life of sinless perfection; but the willingness to confess and repent of sin and seek God with a broken and contrite heart.
Father, Thank You for providing the Way to deal with our sin. Your provision of forgiveness and cleansing through confession of a repentant and contrite heart is our salvation and joy. May I be broken by my sin and in confession and repentance turn to You for restoration. In Jesus Name, Amen! Pastor Rob Morris