Psalm 51 5-9

Transforming Our Sinful Nature

Bible Passage: Psalm 51:5–9

Last time we looked at Ps 51 we talked about how remorseful David was.

Remember this is the Psalm he wrote following the discovery of his sin of adultery and murder.

When these sins were pointed out to him, He immediately turned to God’s compassion and grace.

Asking God to wash him, to cleanse him from his sin.

He understood his position as one not deserving anything but the worst God had to give him.

For he had sinned against God.

Our conclusion was that we must also realize we have no reason to expect God’s forgiveness except for His grace and compassion.

There is nothing we can do to overcome sin of our own accord.

We must fully surrender to the Lord God who has done everything for us to be forgiven our sin no matter what that sin is.

We must trust God because anything else is trusting ourselves and that is sin.

As we turn to Ps 51:5-9 once again we see David fully surrendered to the Lord.

We hear his cry for cleansing

His desire to transform his sinful nature

Psalm 51:5–9 NASB 95

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. 6 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. 7 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness, Let the bones which You have broken rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins And blot out all my iniquities.

Pray

David realized he was ...

1. Sinful from the Start

Essentially He said Lord, you know how terrible I am.

Psalm 51:5 NASB 95

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.

David understood that his condition was appalling to God.

God had no reason to forgive his sin.

David was undeserving of God’s grace and compassion.

Brought forth in iniquity, in sin my mother conceived me.

David was in no way saying his parents committed sin when he was conceived.

David is illustrating how sinful human nature is.

He was born in sin,

The fact is so are we.

Not that we are illegitimate but our nature is sinful.

Romans 3:23 NASB 95

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

No one has to teach a child how to be selfish, it comes naturally.

No one has to teach a child to lie, it comes naturally

You and I are no different from any child.

Sin comes naturally and it is our default nature.

These words by David should instill fear in anyone who is not a surrendered believer in Jesus Christ.

Some people calling themselves Christians still believe salvation is based on what they can do.

David says He was born in iniquity, conceived in sin.

So are we.

Until we recognize our sinful nature and inability to cure it ourselves we will never surrender to the Lord.

So we have to move on to David’s words in v.6 where he understands God’s desire for our innermost being.

Let’s look at David’s ...

2. Sincerity

I understand you desire to make me better v.6

Psalm 51:6 NASB 95

6 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.

David knows what God desires from us.

God desires truth and wisdom from the inside out.

Understand David is aware of his propensity toward evil.

He understands his natural desire will always be evil.

He also understands God’s desire is for us to know Him, His truth and His wisdom.

According to this verse what is God’s desire for us?

“Truth in the innermost being.”

When we have accepted that we can do nothing to correct our evil that is the beginning of truth and wisdom.

Evil is our nature, Our evil nature desires to be greater than God.

It will push us to think we know better than God.

Remember Eve?

Genesis 3:4–5 NASB 95

4 The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! 5 For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

You will not die, God doesn’t want you to become like Him.

So when Eve saw the fruit to be pleasing to the eye and make her like God, she ate and gave to Adam who ate also.

Genesis 3:6 NASB 95

6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.

She thought she knew better than God

Satan is up to His evil still.

All you have to do, he says, is pray a prayer.

Go to church when or if you feel like it.

If Satan is right...

Why does God put Hebrews 10:24-25 in our Bibles?

Hebrews 10:24–25 NASB 95

24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

He knows we need one another to grow closer to Him.

Satan knows the same.

Satan doesn’t want truth and wisdom in our innermost being.

But God knows what is best.

3. Purification Through Christ

Psalm 51:7

When you make me better I am better still, whiter than snow v.7

Psalm 51:7 NASB 95

7 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

David knew that only God could cleanse him of his sin.

God’s cleansing is the best clean ever.

Do you remember the days of Merthiolate?

When you got a scrape or cut this orange liquid was placed on the open wound.

It was used as a disinfectant.

But oh my, the burn was tremendous.

God’s cleansing is like that cleanse.

It might hurt for bit

But the pain is worth it.

God’s pain is always worth it because God’s pain brings...

4. Restoration and Joy

Psalm 51:8-9

Only God can fix me vv.8-9

Psalm 51:8–9 NASB 95

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness, Let the bones which You have broken rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins And blot out all my iniquities.

David knew God was everything.

You make me hear joy and gladness

Joy does not come from the things around us.

Joy comes from within.

Knowing that our relationship with God is well gives us gladness.

We hear the gladness when God is within us.

Often I will hear glad voices outside my door.

I know 2 little boys are overjoyed to be out in the yard playing.

They are finding fun things to do.

The happiness makes me think of the joy that God has given me to fill my soul.

You make me rejoice even in the bones you broke

Remember I said God’s cleansing might bring pain but it is always worth it.

David may have had his bones broken but he asked that even his broken bones would rejoice in the Lord.

Only You can hide Your face from my sins

Only you can blot out my iniquities.

Again David understood his place concerning God.

He like us are at the mercy of God.

Out sinful nature will destroy us.

But God’s grace and mercy brings life to the undeserving.

Conclusion

Big Idea: Recognizing our sinful nature ...

Leads us to ...

seek divine forgiveness,

resulting in true spiritual transformation through Christ.

David had fallen way short of God’s glory

When he realized it

He fell on his face before God.

He pleaded for God’s mercy and forgiveness

He acknowledged that Only God could restore him

Our Nature is sinful

David realized that and asked God to transform his nature.

So must we ask God to transform our sinful nature.

God is pursuing you and me.

He is running after us to forgive and restore our broken lives.

He is seeking those who are seeking Him.

Are you today, seeking the Lord?

Are you longing for time to spend with Him?

Are you listening for His word to guide your life?

Are you looking for things only He can do to direct your path?

I am asking you to trust and Obey what you hear God saying.

We are going to prepare for Cash’s baptism

As we sing this song listen to the words you speak.

447 Trust and Obey

1. When we walk with the Lord In the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way! Let us do His good will; He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain: Trust and obey, For there's no other way To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey.

2. Not a burden we bear, Not a sorrow we share, But our toil He doth richly repay; Not a grief or a loss, Not a frown or a cross, But is blest if we trust and obey. (Refrain)

3. But we never can prove The delights of His love Until all on the altar we lay; For the favor He shows, And the joy He bestows, Are for them who will trust and obey. (Refrain)

4. Then in fellowship sweet We will sit at His feet, Or we'll walk by His side in the way; What He says we will do, Where He sends we will go; Never fear, only trust and obey. (Refrain)

Refrain: Trust and obey, For there's no other way To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey.