Spiritual Restoration and Renewal

Psalm 51:9-19

David viewed his sins as being so hideous that he asked God to hide His face; “Hide Thy face from my sins,”(vs 9), he earnestly pled.  He felt deeply ashamed for God to behold such disgraceful and rebellious behavior. He had ignored God; he had violated God’s law. Instead of attempting to further cover it up or pretending it did not happen, David appealed to God. Yes, in fantastic boldness David turned to the grace and mercy of the Lord asking that his iniquities be blotted out. Can this be done? Can it be there is a real solution to gross sinful indulgences...profound moral failures?

Isaiah the Prophet conveys the tender heart of Almighty God saying, “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” (Isaiah 43:25) God, motivated by who He is, moves to forgive and forget our sins when we turn to Him! He is willing to blot out our transgressions refusing to bring them to mind again! There is hope for the discouraged, depressed, guilt-ridden soul! Furthermore God invites us to His throne of grace to secure grace and mercy as we need them. Note what Hebrews 4:16, says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” That is correct! Though we have greatly offended the Lord with our sinfulness, He insists on being the key to our help, healing, forgiveness and restoration.

David knew this and He provides an illustration of God’s marvelous grace and willingness to restore and renew his fallen people. David secured Wall-to-Wall Forgiveness because he fully sought Forgiveness from the God who restores and revives. Consider now how all of this unfolds.

I.   DAVID'S WALL-TO-WALL RENEWAL, Psalm 51:10-12.

David was interested in far more than having his sins forgiven, he asked God to use His creative powers to make him a brand new creation with a new, fresh clean heart.  He obviously did not want to continue in this pattern of sin any more.

A.  GOD’S WORK OF RENEWING IS THOROUGH AND COMPLETE.

David’s life was in ruins and shambles; he could now clearly see the damage the old nature can cause. But, please do not fail to note where our true help comes from! 

   1.  God Can Still Create Purity Deep Within Us.  Vs. 10

“Create in me” is the same word used in Genesis 1:1, meaning to make something from nothing. The request was for a heart that would be suitable to the purging and “clean heart” washing he had asked God to perform. David longed for a fresh start with the Lord and cried out to God to do the supernatural on his behalf. There are many religions in the world, but only the Lord God can create in us clean hearts. Hearts that are free of gross contamination and hearts that love God supremely!

   2.  God Can Change Our Attitudes About Sin.

 “Renew a right spirit” had to do with a steadfast heart toward God.  He asked that God perform a radical work in his soul–he did not want to keep sinning in the future. He was aware that he had become indifferent in his attitudes toward sin so he needed total renovation. He did not want to fall back into the same sins! We all desperately need this ministry of God in each of our lives. Because we are compassed about with so much sin, we can become desensitized and careless in our choices. We can begin to tolerate little sins and before we know it we are excusing larger transgressions. If we are not careful we can begin to justify a warp and twisted lifestyle plagued with sinfulness. Beloved, periodically we need God to change our attitudes about sin through His Word, sound preaching, and by His Spirit.  

B.  THE PURITY OF LIFE AND TESTIMONY HAD BEEN LOST.

David's witness for the Lord among his family, Israel, and the nations had become nil. The need was for a steadfast spirit so he would not be tossed aside as worthless.

You may recall how Paul prayed that his ministry would never be considered a throw away item (1 Cor. 9:27). In 1 Corinthians 9:27, he says, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” When we disqualify ourselves we limit our usefulness for the Lord.  

C.  THE SALVATION OF DAVID WAS NOT LOST.

Psalm 51:11, Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

    1.  This Was Not a Cry for Salvation or Even the Fear of  Losing Salvation.

David had been anointed by God, and His Spirit had been with him in a mighty way (1 Sam. 16:12, 13). God had made a covenant with the house of David.

    2.  David Was Fearful That God Would Think Him Unworthy and Put Him Aside. We can rejoice with David that He who promised is faithful. 

    3.  David Remembered When Saul Was Rejected as King.

Thirdly, David witnessed firsthand what King Saul went through when God removed His Spirit and Presence from the Life of Saul and gave him instead an evil spirit. (1 Sam. 16:14-23)

D.  DAVID REPRESENTS FALLEN CHRISTIANS IN DEEP DEPRESSION.

Sins and past failures can dig a mighty deep hole and sap us of all hope!

    1.  He Lost His Joy.

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation” is the cry of this weary saint of God. The Christian life that has little joy is a poor testimony to the grace of God.

    2.  He Prayed For Steadfast Power.

It was David's desire never to be guilty again. Thus he prays, “Uphold me with thy free spirit” (Vs 12). His heart longs for a complete cleansing that purges, washes away and blots out every taint of sin in his life.

He wanted to be preserved from falling into this practice again by the power of God’s freeing Spirit!

David secured Wall-to-Wall Forgiveness because he Desire Real Spiritual Renewal; he did not merely want to use God to remove his guilt feelings! He wants to be right with God, right deep within, and renewed that He could steadfastly live for the Lord’s honor.

II. DAVID'S WALL-TO-WALL DEDICATION, Psalm  51:13-17.

Psalm 51:13, Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

David wants his talk and his walk to be a matched set. The mixture of guilt and shame had formed a strong adhesive that had kept David silent far too long. The blood of Uriah had left a great weight of regret on David. Guilt can be confining and restrictive. Like a python it can squeeze the very life out of its prey! In contrast, David yearns to be totally free. So he asks the Lord to deliver him from the guilty stain of Uriah's blood, and all the others who had been so adversely affected by his sin. As a result of his renewal he turns his attention to dedicated ministry to others and service to God.

A.  DEDICATION TO WINNING SOULS.

Psalm 51:13, Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

    1.  David's Witness Had Become Both Inappropriate and Inactive.

    2.  Dedication to Winning and Teaching Transgressors Should Be a Priority in the Life of Every Child of God.

We do not want to be guilty of the blood of anyone (Ezek. 3:18; Acts 20:26, 27). Note the following quotes from the Prophet Ezekiel and the Apostle Paul:

Ezekiel 3:18, When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Acts 20:26-27, Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. ²⁷For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

B.  DEDICATION TO BROKENNESS OVER SIN AND PURITY OF LIFE

Psalm 51:16-17, For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. ¹⁷The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Verses 16 and 17 are one hundred percent applicable for today. David knew what God required. The Law of Moses appointed no sacrifices for these sins. Those guilty of adultery and murder were to be put to death (Lev. 20:10; Num. 35:16). The cities of refuge were not to hide those guilty of premeditated killings. David's only plea was to the mercy and grace of God. David's confession, plea for forgiveness, cleansing and dedication were right on track with God's will.

The same must be true of us today. Micah 6:6-8, is still the standard for God's children.

Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? ⁷Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? ⁸He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:6-8)

III.   DAVID'S WALL-TO-WALL INTERCESSION, Psalm  51:18, 19.

Herein lays more proof of David's sincerity and humbleness. He looks beyond himself to the needs of others. David in these closing verses is once again the prophet who looks to Israel’s glorious future when they shall turn to God and He will fully bless them. This will be a time when David and Israel may offer acceptable sacrifice unto the Lord.

IV. LET US MAKE A WALL-TO-WALL APPLICATION.

What happens when a child of God commits a sin or lives for a period in sin?

A.  FIRST AND FOREMOST, HE OR SHE DOES NOT LOSE HIS/HER SALVATION.

Jesus promised never to leave us comfortless (John 14:18). He promises to never send us away or leave us behind like orphaned children. As Believers, once we are children of God, we should never fear being deprived of our spiritual parent. Our Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, are eternally committed to a saving relationship with us. When we sin, God treats us erring believers as children in need of His correction (Heb. 12:5-10).

B.  THE JOY OF GOD'S SALVATION MAY BE LOST THOUGH, PSALM 51:12. A less than joyous service is a testimony that something is not right between us and the Lord. God is not the one who changed or needs changing, we are. So if ministry and service has become drudgery and church attendance is a burden to us, it is time to take some personal inventory. We have allowed some sinful thought, deed, value, or habit to come between ourselves and the Lord Jesus.

C.  SIN WILL HINDER EVERY ASPECT OF OUR CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE.

If the joy of our salvation has waned away, we will find little joy in prayer, Bible study, worship, giving or witnessing. Sin is a massive hindrance to service and ministry. Remember God is plenteous in mercy and is ready to forgive and pardon the very moment we pray and ask forgiveness (1 John 1:7-10). This does not excuse the effects and consequences of sin. We will reap what we have sown (Gal. 6:7, 8). If we continue to sow to the spiritual and godliness we will eventually begin to reap the good as well. Do not become discouraged with the consequences of sinful decisions, stay focused on the Lord Jesus and draw on His faithful supply of grace.

CONCLUSION:

Beloved, you too can know the blessings of forgiveness (Psalm 32:1-11).  The way of blessing is through confession, forgiveness, and sweet restoration. It is progressing from the sorrows of gross failures, deep soul-stirring convictions, and on to experiencing the joy of our Lord’s gracious salvation again! Not by being saved again, but by being fully restored to fellowship with God. There is cleansing and mercy available to each of us when we return to the Lord. Yes, we will have ups and downs in our spiritual journeys, but Psalm 51 and 32 give us reasons to hope in the gracious and merciful nature of our Heavenly Father!

I am of the opinion that the message of forgiveness and restoration need to be herald with brilliant clarity and deep conviction. Those who have been restored can perhaps tell it better than any other. While it is far better to prevent and avoid extended periods out of fellowship with our Lord, God can still use a life broken by the harshness of sinfulness to serve as admonition to others. Yes, the restored Believer can effectively minister to other believers who have strayed.

Yes, Beloved, the Lord can remove the incredible weight of guilt. You can know forgiveness and restoration deep within, just as King David was aware of his forgiveness. Give yourself permission to pause and appreciate this truth. Permit it to affix itself to your very innermost being. There is real forgiveness with the Lord! It will do us well to remember the words of 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”