Journaling Psalm 51 Part 6

Psalm 51 is David’s repentance for his many sins including adultery and murder. He was a man after God’s own heart yet a sinner – saved by grace.

Psalm 51:16-17

You would not be pleased with sacrifices or I would bring them.

If I brought you a burnt offering you would not accept it.

The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit.

A broken and repentant heart you will not despise

Father,

You would not be pleased with sacrifices or I would bring them. If I brought you a burnt offering you would not accept it. I’m not sure why David wrote this since the Jewish people still did atone for sin by bringing you sacrifices. I know you don’t want empty rituals without genuine repentance. I know, too, that Jesus paid the price for me, redeemed me with his sacrifice. I give you my all. I’m not holding back – at least right now. I want to do so consistently. Yet I fail at times and take back control. I’m learning to listen to you for guidance and obey. Whenever I recognize you wanting me to give or give up something - doing so results in gain for me – rather than loss. 

Dear Father,

The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart you will not despise. I give you the sacrifice you want – a broken spirit, a broken and repentant heart. Forgive me for my blindness to my own sins and keep showing them to me. Only you can break my spirit – which I’m inviting you to do. My “bad attitudes” consume me at times - self-pity, hurt, anger, fear and blame of others. Help me change, Lord. Help me have your mind in me. I lay my sins at the cross and all my neediness. I know you forgive me and I accept your forgiveness. Help me learn to abide in you more and more on this Lenten journey.

Blessings, Dottie