Good morning people who take the time to draw aside and rest with the Lord.

Mark 6:30-31 NIV The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Jesus had the biggest kingdom assignment that has ever been given. The amount that He had to accomplish in just three and a half years of ministry was immeasurable. And yet He often withdraw to quiet places to pray and to spend time with His Father. This was rest for His soul.

Jesus also started sending out His disciples on exciting ministry trips. They were seeing miracles and people’s lives were being changed. There was a sense of celebration at what God was doing (and maybe just a little excitement at what they were able to do).

It was after one such trip that Jesus said to them, “Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Can I suggest to some of us today, this is possibly the best advice that you need to hear. It is also the invitation that you need to say YES to.

If we are waiting for a convenient time to come and rest in and with God, the moment appointed might just possibly pass us by. I’m not sure why there is such a battle on against us resting in God, but it most definitely seems to be an ageless wrestle for many.

There is a better way. There is a kingdom way. There is a biblical way. There is a Jesus way.

Matthew 11:29-30 NIV “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

I hear the Lord say to you, “Come and rest.”

Good morning people who respond in your heart towards the Lord.

Psalm 51:16-17 NIV You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

God doesn’t want us to try and make up for what we have done wrong or try to atone for ourselves. God wants our hearts to be softened and tender towards Him and towards others.

I believe with all of my heart that God is looking for humility and gentleness from His children.

I am in a season when God is refining me further. He is highlighting attitudes and ways of doing things that are not pleasing to Him. When He lovingly corrects me, His desire is for me to respond to Him in repentance; a change of thinking that results in a change of living.

I believe God is looking for people who ‘get to the end of themselves’ when it comes to their reliance. Self-sufficiency – “I can do this!” – is to be replaced with God-dependence – “God, I need You!”

God is after our hearts.

I’m reminded what David wrote earlier in this chapter:

Psalm 51:10 NIV Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

We need God in order to need God (yes, you read that correctly). Even the ability for us to respond to God comes from God’s kindness in drawing us to Himself.  

Romans 2:4 NIV Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Lord, You can have my heart today. I need You.

Good morning people who do not limit the depths of sin that God can forgive.

Psalm 51:14 NIV Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

Do you believe that there are sins that are too big for God to forgive?

Murder is a BIG sin (if we want to put a sliding scale of size on sins). It is one that many people would put into the unforgiveable category. But not God.

The size of your sin is no match for the size of your God!

Don’t believe the lie that you have gone too far. If you can still feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit and you can respond in repentance, then you have not committed the unpardonable sin! It is not too late for you.

David plotted a murder to cover up his sin of adultery. This is messed up! David had already repented and cried out for mercy for sinning against God. Then David prayed further that the Lord would deliver him from the guilt of bloodshed. David was not flippantly glossing over the magnitude of how terribly he had missed the mark. He needed the Lord to remove the heavy guilt that he carried.

It reminds me of Saul of Tarshish too. He was another man who consented to the murder of Christians. He was a terrorist – one whom many today would say that there is no hope for. But God saw it differently!

God can forgive sins – all sins! God can forgive your sins – big and small.

Don’t miss out on your opportunity to sing of the righteousness of God through embracing God’s forgiveness and cleansing from all sins.  

Good morning people who God wants to use to draw others back to Him.

Psalm 51:13 NIV Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.

We are getting into interesting territory today as we gaze upon the work of God in our lives through this Psalm of David. Remember the context: this was written by David after he had been confronted by the prophet Nathan after David had committed adultery and murder.

In addition to crying out in repentance and asking God for mercy, David also states that he wants to teach transgressors God’s ways. He wants this because he wants sinners to turn back to God.

Did you know that restoration is always God’s desire?

Did you know that God can use those who have fallen terribly to help other people encounter His love and grace?

Who are we to say who God can and cannot use.

But I also notice something really important. In fact, it is imperative. It is the first word of our verse today: it is the word then.

What does this word ‘then’ relate to?

It relates to the preceding verses that we looked at yesterday!

Here’s the summarized order of David’s Psalm:

“Father, have mercy on me! Forgive me and cleanse me! Father restore joy and gladness to me through your salvation. Father, please change my heart. Only then can I once again lead others towards You and Your ways.”

Do you see the importance of David’s prayer?

When God changes our heart, then God can use us for His glory. This is my desire for each and every one of us. May we know the power of ‘then’.

Good morning people who ask God to do a deep work in you.

Psalm 51:10-12 NIV Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

The spiritual realm is so much more in-depth and powerful than the natural realm. The things of God are deep!

David repented from his sin, and he asked God to cleanse him. David also asked God to let him hear joy and gladness again. There is much in this for us all.

Then David prays for something that is significant.

Stopping sin is imperative, but we also need a pure heart and a steadfast spirit. In other words, a change of heart is needed, not just a change of behaviour.

David didn’t just declare to God, “I’m going to have a pure heart from now on! I’m going to be steadfast and faithful. I’m going to stop sinning!” And there is a very good reason why David didn’t pray like this.

David knew that only God can truly change our heart. Our best intentions fall short. Our best efforts, while on good days might suffice, on difficult days they will leave us lacking.

We need God! We need God to create a pure heart in us. We need God to renew a steadfast spirit within us. We need God to restore to us the joy of God’s salvation. We even need God to give us the desire to desire Him; to give us a willing spirit.

So, if you find yourself in a place of total dependence and desperation for the Lord today – wonderful! This is the place that we all need to be in. Self-sufficiency is no sufficiency at all. We need God!

May the Lord do wonderful deep surgery in our hearts and lives so that we can enter more fully into the joy of His salvation.