Series: Praying on Purpose Week 2: Shape Me
David, after his sin with Bathsheba, has so deceived himself about the extent of his guilt that he didn’t even recognize himself until Nathan boldly declared, “You are the man!” David’s ruse had reached a level of self-deception. PSALM 51:3-4a. Here David acknowledges the reality of that guilt & 2 other important things. (1) He notes that the sin is ever before him. (2) He notes that he has done evil in the sight of God. David comes with a broken and contrite heart, naked before God. The repentance is real. But in the agony of exposure, David finds renewal.
The Plea: Grant Me Your Mercy, & Reinforce Me With Your Lasting Love (Psalm 51:1-6)
2 Samuel 12:13 –direct confession, without excuse & with clarity.
The Request: (1) For mercy, not justice. (2) For pardon, not pity.
- Transgressions (51:1) the idea of crossing a boundary.
- Iniquity (51:2) the idea of twistedness or perversion.
- Sin(51:2) the idea of falling short or missing the mark.
- David’s confession of sin was not only to relieve himself of the great burden of his sin & guilt, it was to bring glory to God.
The Petition: Cause in Me a Fixed Heart & Restore Gladness Within Me (Psalm 51:7-12)
- David knew that God’s cleansing was effective.
- David needed a steadfast spirit—firm, able to resist the devil, & to abide constant in the holiness. This expressed a humble reliance upon the LORD.
Sin hurries us away from God; Grace hurries us into His embrace: sin severs, and grace unites—God and the soul.
The Promise: Change My Attitude, Clarify My Focus, & Give Me a Voice to Proclaim Your Ways (Psalm 51:13-19)
A 3-fold desire:
- To be happy—“Restore.” The greater enjoyment we have in God, the more faithfully & intently we will make it known.
- To be consistent—“sustain”
- To be useful—“Then I will teach”
He understood what God really desired was in the heart of man. All the ceremonial observance of religion could not gain pardon for the least transgression of the law.
Take Home Truth –Shape My Heart & Renovate My Spirit
