Psalm 51:10-12 (NIV) “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
King David, a young shepherd boy taken to become king and represent God’s will, after many years of success, is tempted by Bathsheba and commits sin compounded by sin. David is chosen to lead, and he falters.
Don’t we all!
In this light, David sings this psalm, his desire, to not be cast away from the Holy Spirit and the joy of salvation. He pleads for a willing spirit.
During this season of Lent, let us reflect on how the life and teachings of Jesus redefine sin. In Matthew chapter 15, we are taught that sin is what comes out of our heart not what we take into our mouth. The crucifixion redefines salvation and righteousness for all humankind.
David’s plea becomes not the cry of one man, no matter how great, but the Way for all opened to us by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. A willing spirit sustains us through the joy of salvation. A spirit willing to love and to give. A spirit willing to accept and to share. A spirit willing to listen and to obey.
A spirit willing to understand that the joy of salvation is accepting that leading as a Christian means following the Holy Spirit not our own will. In other words, we are taught that being willing to give up our will in place of the Holy Spirit is the path to joy, and peace, and righteousness. As we have been taught to pray- Thy will be done- not mine!
So we must be willing to try, and after we fail, to try again- to keep trying and to keep seeking a steadfast spirit fed by the joy of Your salvation.
Let us repent our sins, ask for your forgiveness, and be freed from guilt.
During this season of Lent, let us begin each day by reflecting in the shadow of the Cross that nothing we do is perfect and that we are forgiven. Let us begin each day by washing away the stains of yesterday and receiving a clean heart and willing spirit that will sustain us in our day.
Let us form a new habit that we begin each day by remembering that each moment that we ask for forgiveness that our heart is purified and our righteousness renewed.
Let us live our lives focusing on what is important.
As we pray together today, let us focus on the joy of salvation. Let us sing always with adoration. “Then I shall bow, in humble adoration; And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art; Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee; How great Thou art, how great Thou art.” Amen.
This devotional was written by Jill Pope and read by Susan Daves.
Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.
If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.
First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.