August 3, 2018
Psalm 51:1-12 New Living Translation (NLT)
In our Wednesday LIFE Lessons Bible Study, we spent more time on the Beatitudes found in the gospel of Matthew; the attitude of being in Christ which should be every Christian’s goal. Blessings abound in God’s Kingdom. We abide in that spiritual realm of blessing when we understand: 1) our spiritual poverty (emptiness apart from Christ); 2) as we mourn for his world who is lost to him; 3) the need for a spirit of meekness (quiet strength); 4) the value of being hungry and thirsty for righteousness (right living before a holy God); 5) the power of extending mercy to others; 6) the necessity of being pure in heart (undivided in devotion to God); and 7) the work of remaining in peace (shalom) with God and others.
David recognized his spiritual poverty, God’s call to meekness or humility, the hunger for God’s presence that had departed, and his sin that had caused him to be unclean before a holy God. David cried for mercy based on God’s kindness. He saw clearly his sin and the need for spiritual cleansing and restoration. We’ve all sinned against the love of God and we must bear the responsibility of knowing that truth. In Christ we have a righteous sin offering. May we allow the blood of Jesus to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, may we hunger for more of God each day, and may we be willing to live with the attitude of Christ. Enjoy a blessed weekend.
Psalm 51 A psalm of David, regarding the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
1
Have mercy on me, O God,
because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
blot out the stain of my sins.
2
Wash me clean from my guilt.
Purify me from my sin.
3
For I recognize my rebellion;
it haunts me day and night.
4
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
I have done what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right in what you say,
and your judgment against me is just.
5
For I was born a sinner—
yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
6
But you desire honesty from the womb,
teaching me wisdom even there.
7
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8
Oh, give me back my joy again;
you have broken me—
now let me rejoice.
9
Don’t keep looking at my sins.
Remove the stain of my guilt.
10
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.
11
Do not banish me from your presence,
and don’t take your Holy Spirit[d] from me.
12
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the mercy you have extended to me; the forgiveness of my sin. Continue to renew a loyal spirit within me as I seek to live obediently each day in Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.