Jump Start # 237

Psalms 51:16-17 “For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken and a contrite spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”

  The mighty man of Israel, David sinned. The one who was after the heart of God, fell and hard was that fall. This chapter is David’s prayer to God for forgiveness. David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. The secret sin was going to be known because she was now pregnant. David deceived Bathsheba’s husband, a soldier in David’s army, in a series of attempts to make it seem like the child was his. When all failed, David had Uriah killed. Others of David’s army died that day. The consequences of sin are heavy. David marries Bathsheba. The baby is born. Through all of this David is silent toward God. The man who gave us so many Psalms is hiding behind his guilt. Finally, when God has had enough of this He sends Nathan the prophet who confronts David. God knows. God always knew. David breaks down in confession to God.

  This chapter is David opening his heart to God. It’s hard to read this without seeing tear stains upon the pages. We see a man who wants back what he lost—his wonderful relationship with God. He is sorry—not for being caught, not for hurting others, not for letting others down—but for what he as done to God. All sin is a strike against God. It’s choosing to stand with Satan rather than God. Ever since Eve listened to the serpent in the garden, we face that same choice—believe God or believe Satan. We make the wrong choice too many times.

  Our verse reveals what moves God. Do not read into this that sacrifices are not important. They are. God commanded them. In the context, it is a contrast that David is emphasizing. To have sacrifices, but an unmoved, guilty heart does nothing for God. Going to church services without being moved that you are in the presence of the Holy God does no one any good. Sing all you want. Give all you want. But if you heart is cold, calloused, unchanged, and refusing to bend to the God of Heaven and earth—all those actions are a waste of time. God, first and foremost, wants your heart. He has always wanted that. That is the one territory that He does not rule without your choice and your will.

  David realized that a broken heart touches God’s heart. When we are sincere and truly sorry for the wrong we have done, God is moved. Forgiveness follows. This is much more than mumbling, “I’m sorry,” like a guilty person does in the court of law. He does that so his sentence will be reduced. He is just repeating what his attorney told him to say. Not here. Not this. This is genuine. This is sincere. This is a person who realizes the depth of misery and pain that they have caused the God of Heaven. This is a person who is not trying to save their own neck, but to apologize to God for hurting Him.

  Broken, means sorry. Contrite, means changed. You won’t find David committing this sin again. He learned. He was changed. He was a better man. He was a new man.

  We often keep a person from reaching within as David did. We’ll tell someone, “It’s alright. We all mess up from time to time.” Or, “It’ll be ok, just give it some time.” No sir. Don’t do that. I’m not implying get the salt shaker and pour it into a broken and bleeding heart, and make a person feel like a heal. I’m saying let their guilt and shame take them to that level and then show them the way back to God. The prodigal “came to his senses” when he became broken. His contrite heart led him back home to his Father. It will do the same for us. God heals the broken. God lifts the hurting.

  I think, there are times we want God to do that without us having to hurt. But all of God’s mercy and forgiveness comes AFTER we offer to God a broken heart. It’s easy to see the mistakes David made. It’s easy to say, “He really messed up.” But what about us? Can we see that about ourselves? Are our sins “whiter” than David’s? Have we fallen before the holy God and told Him that we are sorry for the pain that we caused HIM? Our sins have hurt God.

  This is what God wants—broken and contrite hearts. Without that, God can’t do much with us or for us. Pride keeps us from getting broken. Excuses keep us in sin. Honesty, faith and love will make us realize where we are.

  Give this some thought today…then give it some prayer. God is waiting for you to admit. God is waiting for you to say the words, ’I’m sorry.’ God is good. Don’t be afraid, but also, don’t be a fake! God knows!

Roger