POSITIVE HEART TRAITS (2)

“Create in me a CLEAN HEART, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” – Psalm 51:10

Scriptures are explicit on the POSITIVE HEART TRAITS that Believers in Christ should cultivate: “Create in me a CLEAN HEART, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psa.51:10). Yesterday we meditated on the trusting, discerning, and cheerful heart. Today, we examine the clean and contrite heart. These traits are not natural to the unregenerated. They are supernaturally created in us, but must be diligently nurtured and sustained through the Grace of God that comes by His Word and His Spirit. David’s song-prayer paints pictures of the deep consequences of sin, true repentance, remorse, and renewal.

Known for his intimacy with God as expressed through many of the Psalms he wrote, David experienced a season of sin in which he committed adultery, (took another man’s wife), and then murder (killed that man to cover up his sin). Later, he was confronted by the prophet of God (2Sam.12:1-9). Upon realizing the extent to which he had betrayed God, David penned this heartfelt prayer, pleading for God’s Mercy, radical cleansing (vv.2-3), and restoration (vv.7-8). He knew that his ultimate sin was against God (v.4). He felt crushed under the conviction of his offenses and asked for a clean heart and renewed spirit, to not be cast away from God’s Presence, and that the Holy Spirit is not taken from him (vv.10-12).

CLEAN HEART: In asking for God to create a clean heart in him, David used the same Hebrew word used in Genesis 1:1 for the creation of the world, emphasing that the kind of radical cleansing he needed could only come from God. He knew the redirection of his desires and thoughts could only come about through God’s intervention. David asked that God restore the joy of his salvation, which comes from living uprightly with a clear conscience; and a right or willing spirit to obey, and not break God’s Heart again! Requesting for a clean heart shows our awareness of a Creator – and Redeemer – that can instill in us a right and pure heart, even after we’ve messed up. It also acknowledges our need for righteousness we cannot attain on our own, but can only find in Christ.

God desires of us such prayer of repentance and confession whenever we are aware of sins that have affected our fellowship with Him (1Jh.1:9-10). Repentance means we not only agree with God about the heinous nature of sin, but are determined to start over and live a new life – one that is obedient and pleasing to God. Although this prayer was said under the Old Covenant, when sin was not yet permanently atoned for through Jesus’s death and resurrection, its intent and application for us today is that we continually confess our hearts to God and seek His restoration and renewal. We’re called to position our hearts so God can shape and refine us into the Image of His Son: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom.8:29).

CONTRITE HEART: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken spirit and a CONTRITE HEART – These, O God, You will not despise” (v.17). This verse points us to what it means to have a contrite heart and spirit, and how we can apply it every day. The broken spirit or contrite heart is allied to the clean heart. To have a contrite heart means to have true remorse over our wrongdoing and seek repentance in place of our sin, against another, especially God, knowing that His Mercy is abundant. A few key elements that explain what it means to have a broken spirit and contrite heart are: humility before God; remorse over grieving the Lord (vv.3-4; Eph.4:30); repentance or turning away from our disobedient actions, admitting our errors, and turning towards God (vv.7-14).  

The goal of true repentance, contrite and clean heart, is not shame-based fear or self-depreciation, but to be restored into the Joy of Salvation! As we see the Mighty Hand of Mercy restoring us, we can have no other response than Great Joy!