MONDAY, APRIL 18
READ PSALM 51:6-12
PSALM 51:6 (4) Against you, you only, have I sinned
God, like a good physician, wants to examine our “inward being.” God’s only instrument is a nudge to kickstart human willingness to open up. That is why the book of Revelation presents Jesus as saying, “I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you” (3:20). The psalmist willingly opens the door. He knows that God desires “truth in the inward being” and therefore pleads with God to teach him wisdom in his secret heart.
Only when we make the request, “Purge me,” does God come to clean us up. Only when we say, “Wash me,” will God step in to do so. Only when we utter, “Create in me a clean heart,” does God come to “put a new and right spirit” within us. When God calls us to new venues of obedience, God waits for our reply, “Yes, Lord.” The Holy Spirit’s presence in us perennially calls us to follow God’s path. When we say yes to the Spirit, we discover that our joy is restored and “a willing spirit” is sustained in us.
This psalm does not end with pleas for a renewed life alone; it ends with praise to God and a resolution to sing aloud God’s deliverance. When we say yes to God’s forgiveness, we sing God’s salvation not only through words but with our whole lives.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me today. Amen.[M. Thomas Thangaraj]
Our mailing address is:
Upper Room Strategic Initiatives
PO Box 340007
READ PSALM 51:6-12
PSALM 51:6 (4) Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil from your perspective;
so that you are right in accusing me
and justified in passing sentence.
7 (5) True, I was born guilty,
was a sinner from the moment my mother conceived me.
8 (6) Still, you want truth in the inner person;
so make me know wisdom in my inmost heart.
9 (7) Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
10 (8) Let me hear the sound of joy and gladness,
so that the bones you crushed can rejoice.
11 (9) Turn away your face from my sins,
and blot out all my crimes.
12 (10) Create in me a clean heart, God;
renew in me a resolute spirit.
Effective physicians are never satisfied with merely looking at the symptoms of a disease. They want to know what is going on inside the sick person and discover what triggers these symptoms. Modern medicine has invented several instruments to examine the inner workings of a human body. Thus the medical world uses x-rays, scans of different types, and laparoscopy to understand our inner workings.God, like a good physician, wants to examine our “inward being.” God’s only instrument is a nudge to kickstart human willingness to open up. That is why the book of Revelation presents Jesus as saying, “I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you” (3:20). The psalmist willingly opens the door. He knows that God desires “truth in the inward being” and therefore pleads with God to teach him wisdom in his secret heart.
Only when we make the request, “Purge me,” does God come to clean us up. Only when we say, “Wash me,” will God step in to do so. Only when we utter, “Create in me a clean heart,” does God come to “put a new and right spirit” within us. When God calls us to new venues of obedience, God waits for our reply, “Yes, Lord.” The Holy Spirit’s presence in us perennially calls us to follow God’s path. When we say yes to the Spirit, we discover that our joy is restored and “a willing spirit” is sustained in us.
This psalm does not end with pleas for a renewed life alone; it ends with praise to God and a resolution to sing aloud God’s deliverance. When we say yes to God’s forgiveness, we sing God’s salvation not only through words but with our whole lives.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me today. Amen.[M. Thomas Thangaraj]
Our mailing address is:
Upper Room Strategic Initiatives
PO Box 340007
Nashville, Tennessee 37203, United States
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