Good morning, Precious Ones:

In the 51st Book of Psalms, we have heard and read the very familiar scripture passage of “Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me (vs 10, 11).” David knew that his heart and mind were out of synch, or cadence, with the God.

David also asked God to, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit within me (vs 13),” because his attitude needed a true adjustment.

The question that must be extracted from this plea to God is what characteristics results from having a clean heart, a renewed and right spirit, a restoration of joy, and a generous spirit? David tells God that when he is restored and renewed he will, “Then I will teach transgressors Your ways and convert sinners to God (vs 13).”

David also declares in verse 14 that if God forgives him and removes the heaviness of the sins he committed that “O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise (vs 15).”

Family, what joy we are able to experience if we are living a life dedicated to God. What a LIGHT we can can be for the Kingdom of God! I invite us ALL to search our hearts and minds. Have we become so focused on all other areas of our lives that we have slowly moved away from our first love?

How do we get back to God? We must return to God with a “child-like” attitude. In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 19 and verse 14 Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such AS THESE.”

When a child has been away from a parent for an extended amount of time, what is their typical reaction? The child drops everything and runs with excitement, hope, and joy back into the parent’s arms. The parent picks them up and holds them tight. Oh how we could be if we ran to God that way? That’s right, WE CAN!!! RUN FAMILY, RUN!! The arms of God are waiting.

Father God,

Psalm 51:10-17

New King James Version

¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹ Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

¹² Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
¹³ Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.

¹⁴ Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
¹⁵ O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
¹⁶ For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
¹⁷ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.

Rev. Marcia Davis