November 13 | Psalm 51

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DAILY READING

Psalm 51

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REFLECTION

A Pure Heart and A Steadfast Spirit

by Beth Voltmann

This psalm of King David always makes me want to weep. As he is moved to admit his sin - adultery with Bathsheba and second degree murder of her husband, Uriah - his regret, despair, and desire for restoration are palpable.

The scenario seems so heinous for such a man of God, and yet, don’t we all have evil thoughts and intents within?

I remember my father quoting a line from a 1930s radio program that opened with:

“Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?

The Shadow knows...” (followed by an eerie laugh).

The creator intended The Shadow to be a metaphor for the dark thoughts hiding within the unconscious mind of humanity. David understood that these impure thoughts and resulting actions were a product of the original sin that entered the world when Adam & Eve fell prey to the enemy’s deception by choosing their own selfish desires over obedience to God.

“Surely I was sinful at birth,

sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”

(Psalm 51:5)

He also realized that God’s will for him began in the womb:

“Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;

You taught me wisdom in that secret place.”

(Psalm 51:6)

Why was King David known as “a man after God’s own heart”? (1 Samuel 13:14) Perhaps, in part, because he recognized that his sinfulness could not co-exist with God’s holiness. When he failed, he knew to confess and turn back to the only One who could show mercy and bring restoration.

“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)

May we also be known as “people after God’s own heart” – quick to recognize our sinful ways and daily willing to ask the Lord to give us pure hearts and steadfast spirits – to be filled anew with the joy of salvation!

PRAYER

Father, we come before you with contrite hearts today. Please hear our prayer.

“Open my lips, Lord,

and my mouth will declare your praise.

You do not delight in sacrifice,

or I would bring it;

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart

you, God, will not despise.”

(Psalm 51:15-17)

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