Day 9 Restored, Psalm 51
But what about those times when we choose sin? When our choice is to walk in our own way and desires even though we know it’s in direct opposition to what God has spoken?
We already know nothing can separate us from God’s love (Day 3, Romans 8). But sin drives a wedge into our relationship with God and our willingness to walk and talk with him. Like in the Garden of Eden, our first reaction to sin is to hide. When we hide from God, deception begins to twist our view of him and his words.
But. God’s love for us made a way to demolish the results of sin. His name is Jesus. Emmanuel.
Psalm 51 is a beautiful prayer that demonstrates repentance and the restoration that follows it.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken heart and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
James resounds David’s conclusion.
God opposes the proud but give grace to the humble. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. James 4:6-8
This is Emmanuel: He can’t resist humility. He is ready to draw near, to cleanse, to restore.
“When we sin and mess up our lives, we find that God doesn’t go off and leave us- he enters into our trouble and saves us.” ― Eugene Peterson
Brave Sparrow 