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?Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit? (vv. 10?12). {{more: continue …}}?
The problem of sin requires more than just dealing with our individual sinful acts. We definitely need forgiveness for particular sins, but all of our particular sins are the fruit of the corruption that we inherit in Adam. David gives some hint to this inward bent toward wickedness in Psalm 51:5, when he says we are conceived in sin. His point is that from the very beginning of his existence, even when he was in his mother?s womb, sin corrupted his very nature.
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In Psalm 51, we see a reference to the problem of the fallen human heart that must be solved if we are truly to deal with sin. David?s contrition over his sin with Bathsheba has caused him to take stock of his inward dispositions and affections. ThIs leads him to confess his need for the Lord to create in him a clean heart (v. 10). In so doing, he displays his awareness of his need for divine grace. Grace initiates our salvation, it sustains our salvation, and it will complete our salvation.
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Given the gravity of his adultery and murder (see 2 Sam. 11), David fears the loss of the Holy Spirit and being banished from God?s presence (Ps. 51:11). In light of the of Scripture, we know that those who are truly regenerate can by no means lose their salvation (Rom. 8:29?30). In Psalm 51:11 David realizes that the Lord does not owe him forgiveness. God would be well within His rights to take His Spirit from any of us after we sin, for divine pardon is a matter of grace, and grace by definition is never owed. The confidence we have that the Lord will not allow His people to fall from His hand is His sure, unbreakable promise. Every act of divine forgiveness is a matter of mercy and grace, and while we can be confident that in Christ He forgives the penitent sinner, we never deserve the Lord?s pardon.
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God cleanses our hearts of sin when He pardons us not only for our sake but also for the sake of others. When we have a fresh experience of the Lord?s pardon, we are granted a deeper awareness of His mercy, and we should go forth and tell others of His grace because we are thankful for what He has done for us. Let us look for opportunities to tell other people about the grace of God available in Christ.
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See you on Sunday!
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“I don’t know how, but I know WHO!”?
Peace,
Pastor Nelda
