Psalm 51:17 The sacrifice that God desires is a humble spirit. O Lord, You will not reject a humble and repentant heart.
When Nathan the prophet told king David the story of a rich man who had robbed a poor man of the only sheep he had, the king was furious. He wanted retribution to be poured upon the head of that rich man. “He should die!” Nathan replied, “That man is you.” Psalm 51 is a beautiful prayer that David then wrote as he cried out for mercy. It is easy, when we consider wrongs in the world, to want justice and retribution. Only when we understand that we are all at fault – then our arrogance and self-righteousness can give way to the true sacrifice that God desires from each of us: a humble and repentant heart. Rather than calling for condemnation, we should be the voices calling out for mercy, understanding that mercy is what we all need. And granting mercy is the joy of God.
Have mercy on me, O God, because of Your steadfast love.
Create in me a pure heart, O God! Renew a right spirit within me!
Do not reject me. Do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Let me experience the joy of Your deliverance, once again.
If You wanted a burnt offering, I would bring it.
The sacrifice You desire is a humble spirit. O Lord, You will not reject a humble and repentant heart.
Angry voices all around are calling for judgment and condemnation. If we forget our need for mercy, like the unrepentant king, we easily condemn. We should be mindful to be the voices crying out for mercy! In the measure we ask for condemnation, we will be condemned. In the measure we ask for mercy to be given to others, it will be given to us. May God grant us the wisdom to humble ourselves and pray: “Have mercy, O Lord, on a sinner like me.”