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.”  

Seeking Wall-To-Wall Forgiveness

Psalm 51:1-19

SUBJECT: FORGIVENESS

THEME: It is vital for us to review the process of receiving complete Forgiveness from God. Everyone of us deals with the reality of sin. Therefore, we all need to understand The Lord Forgives Sins on the condition of confession. Cleansing (Forgiveness) through the Blood of Jesus Christ always follows when we acknowledge our moral failures to God.

RELEVANCE: Far too many people needlessly struggle under the heavy weight of guilt. Even Christians wrestle for months and years with a heavy conscious instead of making things right with God. That sense of responsibility for an offensive or wrongful actions linger in the lives of too many Believers.  Even though society tries to water–down sinfulness and holiness, there remains an acute and painful verdict in the heart of “guilt.” Though people still try to sneak through life while ignoring an absolute sense of right and wrong, there is still a persistent and sharp awareness of having done wrong in the heart of the average person (Lev. 4:3; Ezra 9:6, 13,15).  Terms like sinfulness, guilt complex, remorse, shame, suspicious conduct, guilty feelings, and guilty behavior are all used in our culture to pin down this event that take place in the heart when we have violated God’s view or our own view of right behavior. Clearly Scripture presents us with classic examples of guilt in the Bible such as: Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:7-8), Cain (Gen. 4:8-9), and yes, David (2 Sam. 11; Ps. 51).  In all of these instances the sinner felt they were “under justice,” or answerable to the judgment and condemnation of God.  Not merely accountable to society, or one’s own conscience, but to the Holy One Himself. Thus, we establish the need for the forgiveness and justice of God toward sinful mankind. This article is the second part of my previous post entitled "Securing Wall-To-Wall Forgiveness."

MESSAGE:

I. DAVID'S WALL-TO-WALL CONFESSION.   Psalm 51:1-6  

One thing David did to make things right with the Lord was his refusal to minimize the severity of his actions before God.  David did not say, “Everybody does it,” “What’s the big deal anyway,” or merely “Lord forgive me of my sins.”  No! In absolute honesty he completely confessed to God.

II. DAVID SEEKS WALL-TO-WALL FORGIVENESS.    Psalm 51:7-9.

David had actually been pleading all along for mercy and forgiveness from verses 1 and 2. Here he had already spoken of God blotting, washing and cleansing him. In the verses now before us David is more intense in his request. 

QUOTE:  Martin Luther said, “Two parts constitute true repentance; first that a man recognize sin, then that he recognize what grace is.”

A. “PURGE ME” (Vs. 7) "Purge me with hyssop."

He ask the Lord to remove the defilement of sin.

     1.  David Asked for Reconciliation and Change.

When David spoke of God’s cleansing him with hyssop, he was alluding to the use of hyssop at the religious ceremonies to sprinkle sacrificial blood on the altar. This represented the removal of sin through the shedding of blood.

Hebrews 9:22,  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

With some carefulness we could understand what David was asking the Lord to do when he prayed “purge me.”

           A.  ‘Make My Soul Pure.’

Hyssop is a small bush that is a member of the mint family. It has many hairy stemmed branches that will hold water and other fluids easily.

QUOTE: “Here it conveys the notion of cleansing from sin "by" a sacred rite, or by that which was signified by a sacred rite. The idea was that the sin was to be removed or taken away, so that he might be free from it, or that "that" might be accomplished which was represented by the sprinkling with hyssop, and that the soul might be made pure.”   — (from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)

           B.  ‘Use a Powerful Cleanser on Me.’

It was used during the Passover to sprinkle the blood (Ex. 12:22).

QUOTE: “David recognizes that his impurity is of the extremest kind, and needs the remedy which has the greatest purifying power. Legally, this was the hyssop, with its "blood of sprinkling" (Lev 14:6,7); spiritually, it was the blood of Christ, which was thus symbolized.” — (from The Pulpit Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 2001 by Biblesoft)

APPLICATION:  1 John 1:7, But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Hebrews 9:14,  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Spiritually there is no more powerful cleanser for the soul of mankind then the blood of Jesus Christ!

           C.   ‘God, You Tell Everyone I’m Restored.’

It was also used in the cleansing and purification of the leper (Lev. 14:1-7).  Basically he viewed sin as a awful disease which required a potent medicine to cure.

QUOTE: “But it is worthy of remark that this ceremony was not performed till the plague of the leprosy had been healed in the leper; (Lev 14:3;) and the ceremony above mentioned was for the purpose of declaring to the people that the man was healed, that he might be restored to his place in society, having been healed of a disease that the finger of God alone could remove. This David seems to have full in view; hence, he requests the Lord to make the sin-offering for him, and to show to the people that he had accepted him, and cleansed him from his sin.”    — (from Adam Clarke's Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1996 by Biblesoft)

     2.  David Wanted Sin's Contamination Removed.

The washing had to be done by one that was considered clean under the law. "I shall be clean." David wanted God to deal with sin’s defilement–he could not stand his filth and more.  Sin's defilement was no longer to plague David.

B. "WASH ME." (Vs 7)

The double-dipped sinner now seeks a double cleansing. He had asked to be purged, made clean by the sin being pushed out. Now his desire is to be washed as a fuller who would trample with their feet the soiled garment to bleach it clean.

     1.  He Asked For a Deep Cleansing.

David asked the Lord to give him a thorough deep cleansing.  Much like a person would wash their clothes and not simply like one would wash their skin.

QUOTE: Spurgeon observed, “The hypocrite is content if his garments be washed; but the true suppliant cries, ‘wash me.’”

Our ceaseless prayer should be that the people of God would be stirred to pray for yet another deep cleansing. Consider the Words of this hymn, “Cleanse Me,” as your own prayer.

Search me, O God, and know my heart today; try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray. See if there be some wicked way in me; cleanse me from ev’ry sin and set me free.

I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin; fulfill Thy Word and make me pure within. Fill me with fire where once I burned with shame; grant my desire to magnify Thy name.

Lord, take my life and make it wholly Thine; fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine. Take all my will, my passion, self and pride; I now surrender, Lord—in me abide.

O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee; send a revival—start the work in me. Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply our need; for blessings now, O Lord, I humbly plead.

APPLICATION:  Ask God to reveal any attitudes or actions that may be displeasing to Him. Confess each specific one, then claim His cleansing forgiveness and go forth with His joy and power. Use the words of this hymn to guide you— (Leviticus 19:2; Psalm 51:7, 10; 85:6; 139:23, 24; Ephesians 1:4).

     2.  He Asked to be Made Whiter Then Snow.

Isaiah spoke of the scarlet sin becoming white as snow. Here David requested to be washed whiter than snow. Snow is not pure. It may appear to be white and clean clear through, but this is not the case. A two inch snow over the mountains around Lake Tahoe in California also dumps several hundred tons of impurities back to the earth.

APPLICATION: Again the unfailing cure for the disease of sin is the blood of Jesus Christ (1Jn. 1:7,9).  When one is saved, he is washed in the blood of Jesus Christ, and the stain of sin on the soul of man is removed. However, man still lives in the sin-stained body. That second dipping covered him completely. The old nature will still rear up if it is allowed to do so (Rom. 7:14-20). David desired a cleansing that went deeper than the snow. He wanted his garments spotless (Jude 23).

C. "MAKE ME TO HEAR."  (Vs. 8)

David asked that the Lord would make him to experience the joy and gladness that comes with receiving God’s forgiveness. 

     1.  Broken Fellowship.

How quickly sin turns the deaf ear, both of man and of God.

Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: ²But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Psalm 66:18,  If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

     2.  Restored Fellowship:   

It was this fear of the broken fellowship, the lost joy and gladness that brought the aching bones of sin to seek forgiveness. David is beseeching the Lord to mend his broken life.

Matt 5:4,  Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

     3.  Great Shame:  

David viewed his sins as being so hideous that he asked God to hide His face.   “Hide Thy face from my sins,”. . . .(vs 9).  David was ashamed that God had to behold such disgrace and shame. In great boldness David turned to the grace and mercy of the Lord and asked that his iniquities be blotted out. Can this be done? Can it be smoothed out?

Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

David secured Wall-to-Wall Forgiveness because he Fully Sought Forgiveness from God.

Protected by Light

“Let us put on the armour of light” (Rom. 13:12) counsels the wise Apostle Paul. Feeling vulnerable to the influences of sin? Perhaps you are presently under an outright attack by evil. Did you go further than you ever dreamed you would? Well, Commander-in-Chief Jesus urges us to put on the “armour of light” for protection against the onslaughts of sin, wickedness, and evil. What is this armor? It is the protection of a holy lifestyle deeply rooted in true Christian character. Practicing righteousness provides protection against the powerful influences and attacks of wickedness. When Christian soldiers don the armor, we are prepared for the daily assaults that will ensue, alert to the enemies’ strategies, and equipped for victory in each conflict (Ephesians 6:14–18). Yes, godly, upright, Christ-honoring living will protect us from enslavement to sin, regrets for needless failures that could have been avoided, and sinful behaviors against our holy and loving Lord Jesus.

Casting off the “works of darkness” (Rom. 13:12) should include, but is not limited to, discarding elements in our entertainment, reading, and media life. All of these venues feed the human heart/mind and Satan sets himself in battle array to capture our minds at all costs (2 Cor. 4:4; 10:3-6). For some casting off the “works of darkness” may involve changing the nature of a friendship because it repeatedly leads to sin and moral failures. For others it may have a great deal to do with defiling their bodies, the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:12-20). Think about your habits, dependencies, sexuality, and propensities…. Let us be brutally honest with ourselves here—no games. Is there a substance we need to cast off? Is there a relationship that must be radically changed or broken? Are we surfing websites that are lewd and pornographic? Are we being seduced to be unfaithful to our spouse through social media? Is social media consuming you causing you to neglect family relationships and vital responsibilities? Are you designing and scheming to seduce another?

Beloved, we who are of the Light, must live like people of light to enjoy the protection light provides. It is not by playing with fire that we avoid being burned. Neither is it through drinking poison that we can prove God can protect us from its impact. We have a God-given responsibility in this matter! With the proper gear we can survive in potentially deadly environments. Scuba divers survive underwater because they have the right equipment that enables them to breathe under water. By putting on the armor of light, by the grace of God, we will survive and even thrive in the Lord! I know we are in this wicked world and temptations assault us on every hand. For now, it is still safe enough in this world as long as this world is not in us (Jn. 17:14-19). It is perfectly find for a boat to be in the water, but you are in grave danger when there is water in your boat. When this happens to us, we are going down! I am simply saying if there is water in our boat, start bailing it out through confession, repentance, and cleansing through the blood of Christ (1 Jn. 1:5-2:2). Bail it out…pump it out now—you are in a state of emergency! This of necessity requires that we repent and forsake known sins while living righteously with genuine commitment (2 Pet. 3:14; 1 John 2:28; cf. Eph. 4:22; Col. 3:8–10; Heb. 12:1, 14; James 1:21; 1 Pet. 2:1; 4:1–3). Invite God the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh and control your thoughts, desires, and actions. Yield your body to Him as His instruments of righteousness (Rom. 6:12-18) and do right until the stars fall. When we do so we will enjoy the protective shield of living in the Light (John 12:36; Eph. 5:8, 14; Col. 1:12; 1 Thes. 5:5; 1 John 1:7; 2:10). With consistent and continuous application we will eventually enjoy a greater quality of life. Free of overwrought remorse and regrets, and filled with the peace and power of God’s brilliant-life-altering Presence. May you be absolutely blessed as you choose this; may you always glorify Jesus Christ in the light.