Psalm 51, 10-14
Something to read
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
New King James Version
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To read the New Revised Standard Version,click here
Something to think about
In the previous part of the psalm David has been praying for pardon. He now requests that the grace of the Spirit, which he had forfeited, or deserved to have forfeited, might be restored to him. The two requests are quite distinct, though sometimes confounded together. He passes from the subject of the gratuitous remission of sin to that of sanctification.
Something to do
As we confess our sins we should look to God for more than just forgiveness! We should also ask for a complete renewal and total restoration! There must be a return to "the joy of salvation" that joy experienced when we first obeyed the gospel.
Something to pray
Good Lord, deliver us disordered and sinful affections; from the deceits of the world and the snares of the devil that make lose focus. Give us strength to resist the temptations of the devil in whatever form they come and serve you with joyful hearts.
Today’s contributor is Father Emmanuel Chikoya who is involved with Christian Aid partner the Zambia Anglican Council's Cross Border Malaria prevention Initiative (CBMI). Father Chikoya chose the New King James Version for this series of readings.
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