Today, we conclude a week of readings and thoughts about repentance.
As I write my own way through this journal, you'll see that I'm a day behind. This gives me an opportunity to ask your forgiveness and take ownership of my mistake! Will you please forgive me and my tardiness in posting day 21, as we dive into a few more thoughts on repentance?
Psalm 51:10-19 shows what we'll see after true repentance.
Instead of being broken off because of our sins or guilty feelings, our relationship with God actually grows.
See, God isn't primarily interested in my being a "good boy" and obeying all the rules. He knows I can't possibly always do the right thing. However, this prayer does reveal what sort of "sacrifices" and "offerings" God wants from us.
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
I think it's a good practice to read the words of the Bible out loud. Sometimes I have to hear myself say them in order to let the meaning sink in...
What is God actually "doing" in response to your honest repentance? Just look at the action verbs here...
- "Create" a clean heart.
- "Renew" a stedfast spirit..
- "Do not cast" me away or "remove" your presence...
- "Restore" me to joy...
- "Grant me" a willing spirit...
In the last two weeks' sermons, I've mentioned that last one a few times... "Grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me" (51:12). I think we all can think of times where we weren't interested in repentance, or drawing closer to God. David is going through the same sort of feelings, even as he is opening up for forgiveness...
"Grant me a willing spirit..." (translation: "keep me focused on wanting to do this...") Or, as Eugene Peterson says it, "put fresh wind in my sails."
Good stuff.
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Dear God, please keep me close to you as I begin another new week. As I look at the calendar, I know I don't have the energy, the time, or the desire to do all the things I "should" do this week. Please remind me of your presence and the joy of living for you. Fill me with a living and willing spirit to make the most of every day I've got. Renew me, restore me, and strengthen me for good works, O Lord. Help me grow closer to you and be ready for your leadership throughout the day.
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