A broken and Contrite Heart

 

Psalm 51:13-19

 

May 30, 2022

 

 

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.  Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.  O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.  For, you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.  Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

 

What is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart?  Is it telling God and others you are so sorry and will never do it again?  Is it greater than that?  Before we tackle David's prayer after he has had a man kill to hide his sin of adultery. You recall Nathan the prophet went to him after he had gone into Bathsheba the wife of Uriah.  This was a big part of David's request after Nathan confronted him with his sin. “Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.   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.”

Being broken is much more than I got caught and I’m sorry.  It is a deep understanding that your action brought shame on the name of God and it breaks your heart that you come to the point God is all that you need, nothing is more important than your relationship and fellowship with the Lord.  And like David, your desire is to help others from going down a road that brings shame on your Father or His Son's name.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice