Tuesday, 6th July 2021 :: King David asks God for spiritual cleansing
Text: Psalm 51:1-19
King David loved Yahweh from his youth. He worshipped God and obeyed Him. However, on a certain day, when he should have been leading his soldiers in battle, David stayed at home and committed adultery. In a bid to cover up the sin, matters took a turn for the worse. It ended with David murdering the husband of the woman he committed adultery with (2 Sam.11). As a result, incestuous rape, fratricide (brother murders brother), conspiracy, etc., invaded David’s life. To his credit when David was confronted with this sin, he confessed and repented. He then wrote
Psalm 51 in this regard, where we read his plea to God to “create in me a clean heart”. David knew that a clean heart must be created by God. It is impossible for sinners to do that by themselves or to contribute to it.
David’s cry to God for cleansing indicates that David was already converted, because un-converted people do not seek God’s intervention.
So, today’s passage, in the context of David’s entire life, is a lesson for believers to grasp. As transformed people, we are genuinely able to love God and obey His laws, but still remain exposed to corruption; we are still capable of sinning. So, when we sin, we must go to God for cleansing;to ask Him to create in us a clean heart. Let us always keep in mind that our righteous living does not purchase salvation. Jesus has already done that for us. But, because we are united to Christ, He calls/expects us to live transformed lives that honour Him who gave Himself for us.
Meditate on verse 10. How are you going to respond to it?
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Amen.
