One-Minute Devotion: July 8, 2020

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10 NIV

Sometimes the situations around us can become so overwhelming that we do not take notice when we fall into old habits, behaviors, or attitudes. This Psalm comes from a place of lament and repentance in David's life. We all know King David to be the "man after God's own heart" but we shouldn't forget he was human and did fall into habits of sin. After David laid with Bathsheba, got her pregnant and then had her husband killed to hide his transgression, the Prophet Nathan confronted him on behalf of the LORD.(2 Sam. 11-12).

In the movie, The Princess Bride, there is a scene where Inigo is drunk waiting for the leader of his gang, Vinzzini to return. When Inigo's friend, Fezzik, comes on the scene, he finds Inigo drunk and basically saying - when all else fails go back to the beginning. Inigo knew that when everything wasn't going as planned he had to go back to the beginning. Fezzik, would find his friend and clean him up, beginning a new course in their adventure.

David knowing he was wrong in his actions and behaviors is like the character Inigo, knowing that the beginning is where he needs to be. Fezzik, the gentle giant, reflects how God comes to a broken David and will clean his heart, clear out the junk, and get him on the right path again. The lesson here is David knew he was wrong, confessed, and was accountable for the events that would continue to unfold because of his sin. David went back to the beginning, he knew he was wrong before God. David's response is appropriate, asking for a pure heart.

It's refreshing to know that someone like King David, who was so sensitive to the voice of God, could make such a decision and still be forgiven for something so cruel. We can say, "Yes, Lord I was wrong, please forgive me and clean me up so I can start again" or "No, I'm okay" and continue in our own attitudes and behaviors. Having a clean heart before the LORD means, a clean conscience, sharper perception of God's voice, and renewed attitude. David's repentance and reconciliation with God can be our own, when we go back to the beginning to receive a pure heart and renewed spirit. God is always waiting for us to choose.