Together in Christ: 'Purify Me, Please!' — Psalm 51:7-8

Our relationship verse today comes from David's confession and prayer after his multiple, grievous sins against Uriah, Bathsheba, and God. ^[1] Nathan confronted David with a powerful story of abuse. Nathan's story greatly angered David, Israel's powerful King. Nathan then made clear that David was the guilty one. He had been the abuser of Bathsheba in his adultery, and the murderer of her husband, Uriah. ^[2] David was completely convicted of his sin and his guilt. However, Nathan pointed out that God would not let such abuse of power go without consequences. ^[3] David was broken because of his sins and further broken by knowing their consequences. That's the hard news David faced, and that hard news would play out over the remainder of his life.

David also had great news. Because of his contrite heart and his broken and contrite spirit, David knew God would forgive his sins and purify him of guilt and the residue of that sin in his heart and life. ^[4] David not only wanted this forgiveness and cleansing, but he also yearned for God's help in re-calibrating his heart to desire loyalty, obedience, and worship. ^[5]God would also bring back the joy of salvation and open his heart to sing God's praises before the people. ^[6]

As disciples of Jesus, we can trust that God forgives, purifies us, and removes our guilt from us. ^[7] Our Abba Father loves us and longs to bring us back home to himself. No matter the mess we have made of our lives — before we came to Christ or after we began to follow Christ — God longs for us to know that our previous sin is gone: that is what we once were. ^[8] Now, however, Christ presents us to the hosts of heaven as God's pure, beloved children. ^[9] Let's rejoice in God's grace. Let's rejoice in God's forgiveness. Let's invite others to God's salvation party and sing of God's amazing love! ^[10]