Psalm 51
First off, let me say that I AM STRUGGLING to get into this "Bible reading" thing. It feels tiring, and draining to even think about opening my Bible, only to be confused or frustrated, and rarely "fulfilled". However slowly God is thawing my heart to His words and the following is something He is gently revealing to me…
I've really been thinking about how God uses are failings and fallings for a purpose, for a necessary good. He isn't looking for perfect people who have never strayed from him, but broken and "heart-shattered" lives. "We grow spiritually much more by doing it wrong than by doing it right" is a quote from Richard Rohr I have been pondering… So if failing, falling, sinning, and suffering is bound to happen to us, I take comfort in this Psalm.
"Generous in love- God, give grace
Huge in mercy- wipe out my bad record"
verse 1 in the Message
"Going through the motions doesn't please you,
a flawless performance is nothing to you.
I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered.
Heart-shattered lives ready for love
don't for a moment escape God's notice"
verses 16-17 in the Message
In the NIV it says this in verse 17..
"My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise"
Thank You God for your grace and mercy. I surrender to you my broken spirit, my heart-shattered life, and come to you with a contrite heart. I will chose to declare that when I am weak, I am actually strong, even when it doesn't "feel" like it.
Richelle Bergen