Hi friends,
As we prepare for Lent, and Ash Wednesday, I invite you to reflect with me on Psalm 51 this week.
0 For the choir director. A psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him after he had gone to Bathsheba.
1 Be gracious to me, God,
according to your faithful love;
according to your abundant compassion,
blot out my rebellion.
2 Completely wash away my guilt
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I am conscious of my rebellion,
and my sin is always before me.
4 Against 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.
5 Indeed, I was guilty when I was born;
I was sinful when my mother conceived me.
6 Surely you desire integrity in the inner self,
and you teach me wisdom deep within.
7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Turn your face away from my sins
and blot out all my guilt.
10 God, create a clean heart for me
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not banish me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore the joy of your salvation to me,
and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach the rebellious your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
14 Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God—
God of my salvation—
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it;
you are not pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit.
You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God.
18 In your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper;
build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will delight in righteous sacrifices,
whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Hi friends,
As we prepare for Lent, and Ash Wednesday, I invite you to reflect with me on Psalm 51 this week.
Monday:
Verses: 1-2
Thought:
David recognizes that God is gracious, loving, and compassionate.
Question:
As we prepare our hearts for Lent, how do you see God’s character?
Prayer:
God, I thank you for your abundant compassion.
Tuesday:
Verses: 3-5
Thought:
David is straightforward and honest about the depths of his rebellion against God. True repentance begins when we accept responsibility.
Question:
How does acknowledging your sin as an offense against God motivate you to change?
Prayer:
Father, help me recognize the actual state of my evil, sinful rebellion against you.
Wednesday:
Verses: 6-9
Thought:
God wants us to have integrity and wisdom deep within our hearts. He changes us from the inside out.
Question:
What do you want God to purify in your life?
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, make me holy and wise.
Thursday:
Verses: 10-13
Thought:
David trusts that God can restore him to faithfulness and friendship with God.
Question:
How do you need God to cleanse your heart and sustain your joyful faithfulness?
Prayer:
Lord, cleanse me, delight my heart, sustain me to obey you.
Friday:
Verses: 14-17
Thought:
David recognizes that true worship requires a broken and humbled heart.
Question:
What pride—spiritual or otherwise—do you need to ask God to remove from your life?
Prayer:
God of my salvation, save me from myself.
Saturday:
Verses: 18-19
Thought:
Whatever God gives to us, we use it to honor him.
Question:
How can you consecrate (or dedicate) your entire life to God?
Prayer:
God, whatever you generously provide for me, I will use it to honor you.