Create In Me A Clean Heart

David’s Downfall: 2 Sam 11:1-6, 26-27; 2 Sam 12:5-13.

I) The Aftermath: Forgiven, but Devastated (Psalm 51:1-3).

Psalm 51 is not primarily David trying to persuade God to forgive him. Nathan has already told him that God has forgiven him.

Instead, David is dealing with the devastating realization of what he has done.

David knows he is forgiven—but he still grieves.

David could still look back at his actions and think: “What have I done?”

He had sinned against Bathsheba.

He had sinned against Uriah.

He had abused his position as king.

He had deceived others.

He had brought tremendous consequences upon his own household.

But ultimately David recognized something even deeper: He had sinned against Yahweh.

II) Devastated to Repentance (Psalm 51:10-12).

David is not merely asking God to remove the guilt of what he has done. He is asking God to change the man who did it.

“Create in me a clean heart” — Change what I am inwardly (Rom 12:1-2).

“Renew a right (steadfast) spirit within me” — Restore what has become crooked (1 Thes 5:21-22).

“Cast me not away from your presence” — Don't let my sin destroy my relationship with You (Jam 4:8).

“Take not your Holy Spirit from me” — Don't abandon me (1 Sam 16:14; Eph 4:30).

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation” — Give back what sin has stolen (Lk15:24).

“Uphold me with a willing spirit” — Make me the kind of man who wants to obey You (Php2:12-13).

HEART OF THE TEXT

David doesn't merely want God to forgive what he has done; David wants God to change the heart that allowed him to do it.

Forgiveness deals with the guilt of yesterday.

Restoration deals with the heart of today.

Transformation prepares us for the obedience of tomorrow.

David had learned a painful truth:

A sinful heart can take a person much farther into sin than he ever intended to go.

He probably did not wake up that morning intending to commit adultery and eventually arrange Uriah's death.

But one unchecked desire opened the door for the next compromise, and the next, and the next.

Our prayer should be:

“Lord, I know You have forgiven me. Now please strengthen me so that I don't become this person again.”

The blessing that results: “Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.” -Psalm51:13.