Weekly Bible Discussion: Psalm 51

My Step with God
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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.

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In my experience, there’s often been a connection between Lent and deprivation. The question is, “What will you GIVE UP for Lent?” I know I’ve asked this question.

I think there’s a wisdom to withdraw from the world to create time and energy for more engagement with God.

At the same time, this is ultimately not about lack but abundance.

So, as I enter Lent this year, I want to remember that, ultimately, this is a season of drawing close to a God of faithful love, abundant compassion, and constant graciousness.

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Not coming from a liturgical background, Ash Wednesday this week was the first time I’ve ever been to an Ash Wednesday service.

I had this exact question, why the focus on fasting and human frailty leading into the celebration of God’s deliverance?

In the end, my thought was much the same as yours, there can be wisdom in withdrawing to spend time with God as well as in fasting and mourning.

With the ashes on the forehead I was reminded of the Old Testament practice of sitting in dust and ashes in times of lament. And how good it can be to take time to mourn injustice and brokenness and to look toward how great our need is for deliverance through Christ.

For vv. 18-19, I am struck by how compassionate the Lord is to restore Jerusalem after such great sin! He promised David that he would discipline him, but he would not withdraw his steadfast love from him as he did from Saul (2 Sam 7:15). And while there are grievous consequences for David’s sin, he does not with draw from David and even fulfills his promise for an everlasting kingdom in Jesus! God’s faithfulness and mercy is always so astonishing and encouraging!

For the question today, I want to be willing to go wherever he calls and respond to his love with total devotion. Right now, that has looked like working towards consistently bringing my community and my future to him in prayer.

I’m excited to hear other’s reflections and look forward to going through Scripture together next week too, if we have a similar discussion!

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