Day 11 of 14

CSB

Psalms 51:10

10God, create a clean heart for me

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Reflections: Take a pause today, and reflect on this psalm, in its entirety, locating verse 10 as the centre. Meditate on it throughout your day. Here are some thoughts to carry with you about this passage, which will help you to see the beautiful realities concerning the Spirit of God… In verses 1- 9,, David petitions God to cleanse him and remove any iniquity (sin) that would separate him from God. David longs to receive a clean heart and a new spirit. This Psalm stands as a signpost for the regenerative and forgiving work of God. The Holy Spirit is working in the hearts and minds of believers, shaping us from the inside out. Reforming your thinking, your desires and behaviour in order that you would become oriented to the Kingdom of God. Be at peace and rest, knowing that the Spirit of God is within you, keeping you and sustaining you for every good work.

Question: What things has God been redeeming and restoring within your world? Pause and reflect on the effect of the Spirit’s work in your life and the lives of others in your community.

Prayer: Lord I ask that you would create in me a new heart. Cleanse me and restore my spirit within me. I want to find rest in you, and a peace that I know that this world can never take away. Amen.

Further reading Psalm 51:1-19

© 2017 Holman Bible Publishers

Days

11

Psalms 51:1-19

Psalm 51

A Prayer for Restoration

For the choir director. A psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him after he had gone to Bathsheba.

1Be gracious to me, God,

according to your faithful love;

according to your abundant compassion,

blot out my rebellion.

2Completely wash away my guilt

and cleanse me from my sin.

3For I am conscious of my rebellion,

and my sin is always before me.

4Against you — you alone — I have sinned

and done this evil in your sight.

So you are right when you pass sentence;

you are blameless when you judge.

5Indeed, I was guilty when I was born;

I was sinful when my mother conceived me.

6Surely you desire integrity in the inner self,

and you teach me wisdom deep within.

7Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9Turn your face away from my sins

and blot out all my guilt.

10God, create a clean heart for me

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11Do not banish me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12Restore the joy of your salvation to me,

and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit.

13Then I will teach the rebellious your ways,

and sinners will return to you.

14Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God —

God of my salvation —

and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

15Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will declare your praise.

16You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it;

you are not pleased with a burnt offering.

17The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit.

You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God.

18In your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper;

build the walls of Jerusalem.

19Then you will delight in righteous sacrifices,

whole burnt offerings;

then bulls will be offered on your altar.

© 2017 Holman Bible Publishers