My Changed Heart

“Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. Purify me from my sins,and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you” (Psalm 51:1-4a, 7-8,10-12, NLT).

When David was confronted by the prophet, Nathan, over his sin with Bathsheba, he immediately sought forgiveness from God. These verses reveal the heart of a man easily convicted by the Holy Spirit. The thought of his sin separating Him from his God was overwhelming. He was broken before the Lord.

That is what the Lord wishes for me.... to be easily convicted when there is something wrong in my life. God disciplines the child that He loves. It is proof of His love for me. (Hebrews 12:6). My response to His loving discipline is repentance, and to do whatever He instructs me to do as a result of it. If my heart is truly broken, my attitude will change. Whatever God might instruct me to do will not be done because I “have to”; it will be done because I yearn to do it. 

That changed heart... that changed attitude is what restores the joy of my salvation! My heart is free from its sinful state, and my mind is free of the thoughts a sinful heart brings! He abides within my heart, and I long to obey His will. If I ever need discipline again, I know He disciplines me because He wishes for nothing to come between the intimate heart fellowship I have with Him. He wants nothing to separate me from His love.

 

Always create your heart in me, O Lord. Always create the deep need to constantly renew my love and obedient loyalty to you. Mold my life like a piece of clay, and change me into a workmanship that brings glory to your name.