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Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

Through Psalm 51, David gives us a glimpse of one of his lowest moments. The shame he feels is unhidden. We see a man who is not only aware of the weight of his sin, but who also feels the contamination of it, as if it clings to his very skin. He knows that God alone can cleanse him – the God of steadfast love and abundant mercy. David doesn’t come with excuses or a defence of his actions, he comes in both honest surrender and dependence on God. He acknowledges his wrong-doing, asks for forgiveness, and invites God’s will to reshape his desires.

Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:9-10

God doesn’t just forgive us; He renews us. He rebuilds what sin has damaged and restores the joy that is swallowed by sin. God is the righteous judge, but when we come to Him in true repentance, we find the God of mercy, love and grace.

By grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:8

David knew that God’s grace could not be bought – not through personal effort; not through burnt offerings, for we cannot entice God’s favour by our performance. It is freely given when we come in honest surrender and with a repentant heart.

When we go against God’s will we can feel ashamed, and like David we can feel the weight of it, but hiding should never be entertained. The longer we hide, the longer our joy is dampened. But the sooner we pour out our heart to God, the sooner our spirit can be renewed.

When we bring our brokenness before God it opens the door for His healing. He doesn’t crush what is broken. He restores it. Bring your broken pieces to God and let His grace reshape them.