Week 4 - Have Mercy!

Psalm 51

I am simply amazed every time I read this great appeal from King David.  His insight into my soul is timeless and incredible.  How is it possible that he could have written my exact thoughts, my same appeal, thousands of years ago?

Can you imagine the tears falling as he painfully writes?  “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love…for you know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.”  

Knowing that God is cognizant of the depth of his sin, David asks for God to spiritually cleanse him with the hyssop plant—used to ceremonially cleanse one who had suffered from leprosy!

The good news comes as David explores the wealth of God’s grace.  “Wash me and I will be whiter than snow!  Let the bones you have crushed rejoice!”  And as his faith cries out in expectation, “Create in me a pure heart, O God!”  “Restore to me the joy of your salvation!” 

David knew the Law of Moses and the blood sacrifices that were expected.  But in his unique relationship with his Creator, he also knew that, regardless of time or circumstance, the only valid offering for our sins is “a broken spirit”!  “A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise!”

Praise God for allowing the Holy Spirit to capture for each generation these luminous thoughts for each of us who seeks grace and mercy from the Creator who is “slow to anger” and “abounding in steadfast love!”

—Jim Pounders