Week 4

Growing up, I was never much of a people pleaser. I was definitely not the kid who obeyed because I cared how my parents would respond if I didn’t and I really didn’t like being told what to do if it didn’t make sense to me. At the time I would have told you it was something positive - no one can push me around, no one can make me give into peer pressure, no one can manipulate my feelings. Though I came to faith early on, I spent many years battling God’s authority in my life. I had a desire to do things my way and on my terms. I had a rebellious heart and many times I was unrepentant of those rebellious choices.

David is known for a few of his rebellious choices throughout the Bible. He writes here about his need for a clean, repentant heart. We are not born with the desire to sacrificially obey God and submit to his authority. “I was guilty of sin from birth, a sinner the moment my mother conceived me” Psalm 51:5 We are born with a sinful heart full of rebellion. David cries out to God because he knows he falls painfully short of the mark.

Many of us have repented of our sinful nature and accepted the gift of God’s grace. We have been given eternal life with him in Heaven! What an amazing gift! This psalm reminds us though, that we will continue to battle our rebellious attitudes and thoughts. We should be daily asking God to humble us and purify our hearts as we learn to be more Christ like each day. “The sacrifice God desires is a humble spirit - O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject.” Psalm 51:17 

When I was a kid, my parents pointed out my attitude or heart issues. As an adult, the Holy Spirit continues to prompt me when a rebellious mindset creeps in. When we are made aware of our sin, the only response we should have is to acknowledge it before God and ask him to cleanse us of it. We will always fall short, but God is merciful, compassionate and loving. He is able to wipe away our rebellious acts and create in us a pure heart. (Psalm 51:1-3, 10) He is able to replace our selfish desires with the desire to obey. (Psalm 51:12). Each day as we are made aware of sin in our lives, we cry out for mercy knowing we have been forgiven through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.