Joy Bombs in the Psalms | Psalm 51

We’ve been on a rocky road this week together, but it sure led to a beautiful place, didn’t it? Today, we are going to find a prayer that you and I can pray if we are seeking forgiveness or redemption from God. It’s Psalm 51. Remember this Psalm the next time you hit one of those lows in life. Put a yellow post-it note in your Bible on that page. You and I are going to need this prayer again. Remember that the same God who forgave Peter for denying that he even knew him is the same God who forgives you and me when we make a mistake. That’s something to celebrate today. Let’s soak up this Psalm together.

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Transcription:

We’ve been on a rocky road this week together, but it sure led to a beautiful place, didn’t it? Hi, I’m Erica welcoming you to the Bible for Busy People. We are about to celebrate Joy Bombs in the Psalms together. Today, we are going to find a prayer that you and I can pray if we are seeking forgiveness or redemption from God. You know the Apostle Peter story, the one we’ve been studying together all this week, could really be summed up to me in six words, and they all start with R, you ready? Okay, Recruitment. Remember, Jesus called Peter to leave everything he was doing. His fishing business, the life he knew to follow him. Revelation, number two, right? Remember when Jesus said, who do you guys say that I am? And Peter was like, you’re the Messiah. God gave him that. He revealed it to him. Third R word, Rejection. You and I remember when Peter denied that he even knew Jesus three times, and it hurt him so bad. He knew he made a mistake, and yet there was, our fourth word, Redemption, right? Jesus forgave him. And then there was Restoration. Our fifth word, what did Jesus restore in Peter’s life? He restored Peter’s faith and his hope and his love and all the things. Then there was a Recommission, our sixth word. Remember when Jesus asked Peter three times, do you love me? And it was like he was wiping away those three denials by asking him, do you love me? three times. It’s such an incredible story and I’m wondering, which R word do you resonate with today? I know resonate another R word. Are you in a season of recruitment? Has Jesus called you? Has he revealed something to you, something you’re supposed to do or know about him?

Do you feel like you’re in a season where you’re pushing God away, you’re rejecting him? You’re saying, Lord, I’m choosing this over you. Well, we’re going to pray Psalm 51 in just a moment, and I think you’re going to get right back on the right track. Maybe right now you’re feeling redeemed, you’re understanding that God can take any mistake you make and weave it into the wonderful post mistake plan that he has for you. Nothing surprises him. Are you in that space or are you being recommissioned right now? Is Jesus saying, I have something new for you to do? Let’s pick up the pieces and start building something together again. Wherever you are, I truly believe that Psalm 51 is about to resonate with you. This was written by David. You remember King David? He was the shepherd who God chose to become the king of Israel and he was not perfect. The thing he was though, is that he was a man after God’s own heart, and that gives me hope. How about you? Alright, this is how it’s written in the Bible, before we get to verse one,

For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

We should totally study David’s life one week on the Bible for Busy People, but for today, let’s read his prayer. This is Psalm 51. Let’s pray it together. What do you say?

Have mercy on me, Oh God. Because of your unfailing love, because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion. It haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned. I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. For I was born a sinner. Yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;

This is my favorite part.

Wash me and I will be whiter than snow.

Is there anything whiter than snow? Verse eight now.

Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me, now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

Can we just pause right there? Can you think of a more restorative prayer? Create in me a clean heart, Oh God. Yes. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Verse 11 now,

Do not banish me from your presence and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels and they will return to you. Forgive me for shedding blood, O God, who saves. Then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness. Unseal my lips, Oh Lord, that my mouth may praise you. You do not desire a sacrifice or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Look with favor on Zion and help her rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings. Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.

What a profound prayer from King David, the man who committed adultery, who actually committed murder by proxy. He was not perfect. And I’m not perfect, and you’re not perfect. But like David, you and I can be people who are following hard after God’s own heart. I love this prayer.

Create in me a clean heart. O Lord, renew a loyal spirit within me.

That’s a prayer you and I can pray when we mess up. Remember Psalm 51 the next time you hit one of those lows in life. We’ve been studying Peter all week, the highs and the lows. When you hit a low, remember Psalm 51. Put a yellow post-it note in your Bible on that page. You and I are going to need this prayer again. But the same God who forgave Peter for denying that he even knew him is the same God who forgives you and who forgives me when we make a mistake. That’s something to celebrate today. Thanks for being here. Can’t wait till next time. Until then, remember, you are loved.

Thank you so much for listening to the Bible for Busy People. If you need prayer or you’re ready to go a little deeper in your faith, we’ve posted some resources for you in our show notes. We’d love for you to share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review. It helps us reach even more people with the hope of Jesus. This podcast is part of Purposely, a podcast network designed with practical podcasts to help you find and live in God’s purpose for your life.

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