Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "3rd Sunday in Lent" Sunday, 23 March 2014 - Read Psalm 51:1-10

Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "3rd Sunday in Lent" Sunday, 23 March 2014 - Read Psalm 51: For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
1 Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness.
    According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity.
    Cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions.
    My sin is constantly before me.
4 Against you, and you only, have I sinned,
    and done that which is evil in your sight;
that you may be proved right when you speak,
    and justified when you judge.
5 Behold, I was born in iniquity.
    In sin my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts.
    You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean.
    Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness,
    That the bones which you have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
    and blot out all of my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.
    Renew a right spirit within me.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.--Psalm 51:10 (NRSV)
Our lives are full of changes — some good and some not so good. Most of us dislike change; we often go kicking and screaming into a new way of thinking or a new way of doing things. Nevertheless, we know that we will experience change from time to time. Sometimes we even embrace change, especially when it improves our physical or emotional comfort. We often make changes to improve our image, the way we look, with new clothes or new hairstyles. But while such changes may affect the way others see us, they are only one aspect of our being — the exterior. Sometimes it is more difficult to embrace inner changes. Changing our inner selves begins with prayer. Have we asked God to help us be free from hatred, resentment, a lack of forgiveness? Have we asked to be free from fear or pride that can easily harm us and others? Maybe Psalm 51, David’s prayer, is a good place for us to start: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.”
The Author: Daniela Rotaru (Comunidad Valenciana, Spain)
Thought for the Day: Meaningful change begins with prayer.
Prayer: Dear God of grace, thank you for the many blessings that have enriched our lives. Place a right and noble spirit within us. Help us remain close to you in the face of all the changes in our lives. Amen.
Prayer focus: Someone I need to forgive
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