a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51.17
Psalm 51 is David's powerful and poignant prayer for forgiveness. David, the mighty man of God, the man appointed by God to unite and lead His people, the one known as a man after God's own heart - has sinned! He has fallen big time. Infatuated by Uriah's wife, Bathsheba, he entered into an adulterous relationship with her. She fell pregnant. Seeking a way forward, David summoned Uriah back from the war in the hope he would sleep with his wife, then see the child as his own. But Uriah was faithful to the king. As he was in warfare mode, he denied himself relations with his wife, choosing instead to sleep at the entrance to the palace with the king's servants. What loyalty!
Uriah's loyalty was repaid by David ordering Joab, the army commander, to place Uriah in the front line of battle,where he will be struck down and die. (2 Sam. 11.15)
This is what happened. Uriah was killed, and David added murder to his litany of sins! In time, David married Bathsheba. What incredibly unGodly and vile behaviour David is engaging in. How, I wonder, did God feel regarding this 'man after his own heart'!
God was most certainly not pleased! He sent Nathan the prophet to David with a clear, though somewhat concealed, rebuke. David got the message, and the beautiful Psalm 51 is his humble plea to God for forgiveness.
David seeks from God a pure heart and a steadfast spirit. He rightly states that God does not delight in sacrifice or burnt offering but, rather, in the "sacrifice" of a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart.
God heeds our humble pleas for forgiveness. I believe He willingly receives our brokenness, our broken spirit and broken and contrite heart. He takes our brokenness and He "mends" us through healing, restoration and renewal.
In reality I am no better than David, though I have not committed the sin of murder. Sin is sin - and I am a sinner, just like everyone else! I thank God for His forgiving love.
Loving Father,
Like David, I am a sinner. And, like David, I come to You with a humble plea for forgiveness. I seek Your mercy and restoration into the fullness of relationship with You. Only You can do this. I pray that You will. Amen.
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