“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me…Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:10,12; NIV)
Do you ever find yourself crying out for God’s mercy, longing for the Heavenly Nurturer’s unfailing love? I know I have. I also know that we in modernity are not alone in our need for God’s love and mercy. David, a King of Israel, wrote psalm after psalm lamenting his actions and those of the world. In Psalm 51, we read David’s raw plea and confession to God after committing adultery. David knew he had violated his covenant not only with his earthly community, but also with the Lord. As a result, David was left pained and in need of forgiveness. Perhaps we’ve never committed adultery, but we all have done something evil in the Creator’s sight, just like David (51:4). I am confident that we have both acted, and been acted upon, in ways that leave our bones feeling crushed, lifeless (51:8). I, myself, succumb to earthly temptation and become caught up in worldliness. Adultery takes many forms – sin takes many forms. Yet, the Redeemer’s love and mercy covers all forms of transgressions, no matter the size. As I sat at the breakfast table this morning, one of the little children for whom I sit looked up at me and said, “Ms. Anna, everyone deserves to be loved.” Then she went back to her cereal. This statement, so simple, had to be the Truth David knew in his heart when he sought God’s love in his darkest hour. Lent can be a period in which we dwell on our shortcomings; focus on our failures. However, it can also be a period of great expectation and joy as we prepare our hearts and minds for the resurrection of Christ. As we travel the final weeks before Easter Day, may we, like David, ask for: pure hearts, steadfast spirits, the presence of the Holy Spirit, joy, willingness, and sustainment (51:10-12). May we seek reconciliation with God, with others, and with ourselves. May we also know that these prayers are continuously answered as we are daily gifted God’s mercy and unfailing love through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection (John 12:27-30). Finally, like David, we will inevitably need forgiveness. If – when – this happens, may we remember that, in the words of a child and as God’s children, we all deserve to be, and are, loved. |