2023_01_30 Insight Post- Kim Feld

  -   January 30, 2023

This week’s reading- Psalm 51, Romans 8, 2 Peter 3

We all inherit things from our parents. It could be the color of our eyes, the shape of our nose, or our smile. Close family members resemble each other in some way, making it easy to tell that you are related.

In verse five of Psalm 51, David, the author, says that he was sinful at birth. Sinfulness is a trait we all possess, passed down from generation to generation. David confesses his great sin and appeals to God’s unfailing love and great compassion. Not because he deserved it but because he believed God could cleanse him and forgive him. But David didn’t stop there. He asked for forgiveness and for God to give him a new heart.

^“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10, NIV)

The word “create” used here is the same as in Genesis 1. It means to prepare, form, or fashion. The Message makes the connection:

“God, make a fresh start in me,
shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.” (Psalm 51:10, The Message)

When God creates, He brings order to chaos. He can create something new within us and bring order to our lives.

I love the brutal honesty of this psalm. David takes full responsibility for his actions, recognizing that all sin is an affront to God. He doesn’t make excuses or minimize what he’s done. He offers God his broken, repentant heart. Look at these words from 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. (Psalm 51:16-17, The Message)

Do you have an area of your life that you need God to “shape a Genesis week from the chaos?” My prayer today is that we would not only run to God for forgiveness but also ask Him to heal us. Nothing is beyond our God.