Community News 4/3/17

DAY 1 OF WEEK 2

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 

(Psalm 51:10 ESV)

King David is one of the most notable of Old Testament figures. He was courageous (1 Samuel 17) and called a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22; 1 Samuel 13:14). But even he, a legend of our faith, was no exception to unspeakable sin. Psalm 51, from which today’s verse is taken, is one of repentance. Remember a certain woman named Bathsheba? Here was the situation in 2 Samuel 11:

David was reclining on his rooftop couch one balmy spring afternoon. He saw a beautiful woman bathing and sent his servants to fetch her. Even though she was married to Uriah, a man faithfully fighting in David’s army, he seduced her. From the adulterous encounter came conception, which was not what David had intended. So David sent for Uriah to return from the battlefront so he would sleep with his wife, making everyone believe that the coming child was Uriah’s. But Uriah was a loyal man, saying he would not sleep with his wife because his fellow soldiers were still waging war, and it wasn’t right for him to enjoy luxurious living while they were still risking their lives. Then David acted even more wickedly by sending Uriah to fight on the frontline of battle where he would inevitably be killed. After murdering Uriah, David married Bathsheba, and in judgement, the child they had conceived passed away.

Often times when we sin, we feel deep guilt, conviction, and condemnation. Most of us haven’t even committed adultery and then murdered the man or woman’s husband to cover up the sin. Yet when we blow it, we withdraw from God in an attempt to hide in our shame. No matter what we have done, however, here is to be our response to God:

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.

Rather than run from God when we sin, we should run to Him. As we remember His wrath against sin, remember also Jesus’ shed blood on the cross, and His sweet words “It is finished.”

Take a moment from what you are doing and let God’s grace take hold of your heart.
What a loving Father we have.

Adapted From: http://shortdailydevotions.com