Create, Renew

Psalm 51:10-13 Create in me a clean heart, O God.                                              April 19, 2020

 Song:
Create in me a clean heart o God, and renew a right spirit within me
Create in me a clean heart o God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence o God, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me,
Restore unto me the joy of They salvation and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10-13
¹⁰ God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast^[a] 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 give me a willing spirit.^[b]
13 Then I will teach the rebellious Your ways, and sinners will return to You.

“Create” – “bārā” the word used in Gen 1:1, to create from nothing. David longs for a brand new heart, a complete newness of heart – a longing that Jesus Christ fulfills.

Steadfast spirit. “Ruach” – the God breathed power of life! We are animated by our spirit and our spirit is the foundation of our emotions.

Jesus told Nicodemus he must be born again – birth as a new creation that is only through God, this is what David is longing for!

Steadfast: faithful. Undaunted. There are many times when I falter and want to quit. For some people faithfulness comes easy but it’s certainly not for everyone. Our desires, our weaknesses, get in the way of the deeper desire and longing to be faithful. Faithfulness is one of the fruits of the Spirit.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation! The joy of knowing that there’s a better life to come. The joy of knowing that death is simply the door to REAL life. The joy of knowing that God is in the details, He is still in control and His kingdom is real.

This is a very familiar passage, one we sing and know well. But, just as important, is verse 13, a too often overlooked verse which is the outcome, the result of God creating in me a new heart and a steadfast spirit.  ¹³ Then I will teach the rebellious Your ways, and sinners will return to You.

What is the purpose of asking God to create a new heart and a steadfast spirit in me? To teach people God’s ways so they will know Him!

Create in me a clean heart; renew a steadfast spirit, Restore joy! Sustain a willing spirit, let me be bold to express Jesus, to share His life and reality. Teach sinfulness leading to relationship with Jesus!