Read Psalm 51:7-17
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. —Psalm 51:17
During my friend Myrna’s travels to another country, she visited a church for worship. She noticed that as people entered the sanctuary they immediately knelt and prayed, facing away from the front of the church. They were confessing their sin to God before they began the worship service. This act of humility is a picture to me of what David said in Psalm 51: “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise” (V. 17). David was describing his remorse and repentance for his sin of adultery with Bathsheba. Real sorrow for sin involves adopting God’s view of what we’ve done—seeing it as clearly wrong, hating it, and not wanting it to continue. When we are truly broken over our sin, God lovingly puts us back together (See 1 John 1:9). This forgiveness produces a fresh sense of openness with Him and is the ideal starting point for praise. After David repented and was forgiven, he said, “Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise” (Psalm 51:15). Praise is our heart’s response to His forgiveness.
-Jennifer
Dear Lord, let my heart be filled with praise as I recall your goodness and faithfulness in the past. Although times are tough and the uncertainty of life and death surround me, I still choose to praise you my Saviour and my God ~Amen
