Saturday, April 09, 2011

Psalm 51:12

David was a little shepherd boy who grew up in a dysfunctional family. His brothers did not like him much and his father didn’t think all that much of him either. But, it was this shepherd boy who saved his people when he slew the giant, Goliath, with a little sling shot. Although he was small and insignificant, this shepherd boy was called by God to accomplish great things. God is like that. He can do marvels in the lives of the least among us.

David was also a sinner: an adulterer, a murderer, a lousy husband and an over indulgent, unconcerned father. All this is recorded in the Old Testament about David who was chosen by God to lead His people.

Notwithstanding his many sins, David: the shepherd boy, the war hero, song writer and musician, was a man after God’s own heart because when he sinned he repented and turned back to God. He did not despair. It was God who raised him up, and it would be God who would heal and restore his spirit when he sinned and cried out for help.

Psalm 51, is David’s repentant cry from the depths of his soul to God; “My sacrifice, God, is a broken spirit; God do not spurn a broken, humbled heart.”

I love the fact that this man who sinned grievously could still be called a man after God’s own heart for he repented from the depths of his soul. Jesus always showed compassion to sinners who repented in their hearts. He praised the Publican who prayed: “Lord have mercy on me a sinner;” and He condemned the Pharisee because of his self-righteousness. He had compassion for the woman caught in adultery, and refused to judge her; whereas he confronted her enemies and exposed their hypocrisy.

This is good news for me. Like David, I want the Lord “to wash away all my guilt; and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalm 51:4). Yet, sometimes I fail to live up to my responsibilities as a Christian because of my human weakness. I know I can always turn to Him who will restore “my joy in (His) salvation.” (Psalm 51:14)

Angel da Queen.