Psalm 51:10-12
“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.” Psalm 51:10-12 (NIV)
Every night I pray before I fall asleep. I first thank God for all the blessings I received that day. It fills me with gratitude as I reflect on my blessings. I pray for those who are struggling with difficult events in their life. I pray for difficult events in my own life too. I don’t have all the answers and I certainly do not always make the right decisions. Therefore, I seek guidance. Create in me a pure heart so that I may live a life worthy of God’s love. When I sin, do not cast me from your presence or take the Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of God’s salvation and grant me a willing spirit so that I can spread God’s word to others.
We are all sinners. As the last few weeks of sermons have taught us during Lent/Easter, Jesus paid the ultimate price for us. He was tortured and died for the forgiveness of all of our sins. We cannot clean our own heart. God does not ask us to go through a series of steps in order to receive forgiveness. He simply wants us to ask in faith.
Let us look back at the story behind this verse. King David committed adultery when he began a relationship with a married woman, Bathsheba. After trying to hide his actions, this sin began eating away at him. He eventually confessed and asked for forgiveness; thus Psalm 51 was written. David talks about his great relief after admitting sin and encourages others to confess their sins as well. Despite all that David did, and all that we do in our daily lives, God is willing to forgive because Jesus paid the penalty.
One way we can have a clean heart is to help others. Serving others and not expecting anything in return is what makes people truly happy. Being a servant means to put others' needs before your own and be willing to help in any way you can. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, that I might serve you; Create in me a clean heart, O God, that I might be renewed. So, fill me and heal me and bring me back to you. Create in me a clean heart, O God, that I might serve you.” (hymn by Mary Rice Hopkins)
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to be pure in heart and how do you ask for a clean heart?
- Where do you need transformation and what is holding you back from getting it?
- How often do you use your skills/talents and hands to serve others?
Prayer
Dear Lord, I am asking for a heart that is completely free of the burden of sin. Let your power be revealed in me and through me. Allow me to spend some quiet time reflecting on all my blessings and give me the purified heart to better serve you and others. Amen.
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