ARE YOU AT PEACE WITH GOD?

 

Psalms 51 gives us an excellent example of what it means to seek and find peace with GOD.  David was King of all Israel but he had disobeyed GOD'S commandments and knew that he was not in GOD'S favor.  He had impregnated another man's wife and tried to cover the deed by having her husband killed in battle.  (2 Samuel ch. 11)  He wanted desperately to regain the relationship with GOD that he had enjoyed before and he did not waste time negotiating.  In verses 1 – 5 he asked for GOD to forgive him.  He freely confessed his disobedience and clearly stated his petition without trying to whitewash his situation.

 

PS 51:1 Have mercy on me, O God,

   according to your unfailing love;

  according to your great compassion

    blot out my transgressions.

 

  PS 51:2 Wash away all my iniquity

    and cleanse me from my sin.

 

  PS 51:3 For I know my transgressions,

    and my sin is always before me.

 

  PS 51:4 Against you, you only, have I sinned

    and done what is evil in your sight,

  so that you are proved right when you speak

    and justified when you judge.

 

  PS 51:5 Surely I was sinful at birth,

    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

 

          In verses 6 and following David defined the condition to which he wished to be re-instated.  He first acknowledged the requirements of GOD.

1)   Truth in the innermost parts (honesty at the most basic level) and

2)   Wisdom in the inner place (rightful discernment of good and evil).

3)       Cleansing from sin.  This is more than the atonement for sin.  It goes on to make the man righteous and acceptable in GOD'S presence.  This is sanctification.

 

PS 51:6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;

    you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

 

  PS 51:7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

 

David also asked for confirmation that he had received forgiving mercy. 

1)   Confirmation that GOD is pleased.  To hear joy and gladness would indicate that GOD is not angry or wrathful but pleased.

2)   A removal of guilt (the rejoicing of crushed bones).

3)   A reassurance or re-stating that his iniquity has been blotted out.

 

PS 51:8 Let me hear joy and gladness;

    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

 

  PS 51:9 Hide your face from my sins

    and blot out all my iniquity.

 

Next David requested of GOD specific items that he was in need of if he were to please GOD. 

1)   A pure heart that was to be newly created not by David but by GOD.  This implies that the original pure heart was lost beyond restoration or repair.

2)   The renewal of a steadfast spirit (consistency, faithfulness, dependability).

3)   A reassurance of communication, communion, and fellowship with GOD.

4)   A reassurance of GOD'S anointing by the Spirit.  This anointing was taken from Saul, David's predecessor, when GOD was grieved with Saul as King and rejected him.

5)   Joy of salvation.  The assurance that all is well with his soul.

6)   A willing spirit to sustain him (desire).  Desire to please GOD is what keeps us submitted to his will.

 

PS 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,

    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

 

  PS 51:11 Do not cast me from your presence

    or take your Holy Spirit from me.

 

  PS 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation

    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

 

David next declares his intentions confirming his repentant attitude (verses 13-15).  In declaring his intentions he draws a definite connection between the restoring of GOD'S favor with his intended behavior.

1)       Upon receiving the petitions cited above, David would serve as a witness to sinners instructing them in the ways of GOD.

2)       With the absolution of bloodguilt (either sin in general that causes us the death of separation from GOD or the specific sin of causing the death of Uriah) he would sing of the righteousness of GOD (confirming allegiance to GOD rather than living by his own righteousness).

3)       With reason to speak he would declare GOD'S glory.

 

PS 51:13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

    and sinners will turn back to you.

 

  PS 51:14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God,

    the God who saves me,

    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

 

  PS 51:15 O Lord, open my lips,

    and my mouth will declare your praise.

 

In verses 16 – 17 David reasserts his understanding that obedience to GOD begins in the heart.  Sacrifices, offerings and other efforts of men will be useless if not done with a pure heart and a broken spirit.  David also proclaims that GOD will not despise a broken and contrite heart.  This is our assurance that we can regain favor with GOD if only we approach him with the same broken and contrite heart.

 

PS 51:16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

 

  PS 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

    a broken and contrite heart,

    O God, you will not despise.

 

 

In the remaining verses of Chapter 51 David beseeches GOD'S favor and blessing for his people.  This was his duty and expected behavior as the King of the people.  We too have the responsibility to care about the physical and spiritual welfare of others.

 

PS 51:18 In your good pleasure make Zion prosper;

    build up the walls of Jerusalem.

 

  PS 51:19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices,

    whole burnt offerings to delight you;

    then bulls will be offered on your altar.

         

JESUS CHRIST now serves as the sacrifice that atones for our sins.  This means that our belief in JESUS as the Son of GOD allows us to be at peace with GOD.

As you read Psalms 51 and meditate on what it tells us, let the words of David be your prayer to GOD.  Ask for a pure heart and the other things that David asked of GOD.  Experience the joy of a right relationship with your creator. 

 

Keep the fellowship pure,

Don B.