"The Journey Ahead" (Psalm 51:10-12)

Introduction

If we think back to one year ago … have we grown closer to God over the last 12 months … are we more obviously following Jesus now … are we more responsive to the Holy Spirit’s leading??? What if we think back five years … has there been progress since then?

Maybe there is something holding us back! Something might be continually getting in our way! This might be a particular negative habit, or something that is very close to an addiction. This may be a sense of guilt, or an inability to forgive yourself. This might be a particular perspective you have on your circumstances, that is not helping you. This may also be because you are trying to deal with something alone, when really you need help and support.

If we are aware of what is holding us back, are we actively seeking (in God’s strength) to deal with this, or are we continuing to ignore it? Or, if we are unaware of what is blocking us (in a ‘blind spot’), are we seeking some help with this?

What about motivation! Do we truly want to grow? Do we want to be healed? Or, do we want to be stuck where we are in another year’s time?

Or, if we feel we are going okay, and we are indeed growing – do we want to go further … and grab hold of some more maturity and blessing over the next 12 months? Are we really seeking to be fully built into the image of Jesus? Are we chasing down the best God has for us? Or, are we just a ‘get-by’ sort of person … where we are happy just to skid through on human ability?

Are we prepared to open ourselves to change? In Psalm 51, we have an example of someone with huge potential, significant responsibility, yet complete fallibility … which has led down a very slippery slope! Can they change and grow? How??

Background

The writer of Psalm 51 is David, words spoken after his biggest fall from grace. David lusted after a woman who was another man’s wife. He inappropriately used his power as king over her. When she became pregnant, and thus there was a big chance David would be found out, he launches a massive cover-up, attempting some gross manipulations, and ultimately committed what amounted to murder when he arranged for Uriah’s death (2 Samuel 11 & 12). An unrestrained moment (an idle and selfish thought acted upon), led down a very slippery slope of destructiveness. Things just went from bad to worse.

This sort of behaviour … going down all over God’s world, needs to be addressed … one life at a time. We see in this dark incident from David’s life, an idleness that led to selfishness, a lack of care leading to a ‘misuse’ of other people [Bathsheba & Joab the army commander], a callousness and shocking disloyalty [to Uriah] – all together … outrageous hypocrisy [for someone who was supposed to be God’s servant]. David had sunk to the lowest depths of lust, deception and violence.

A prophet by the name of Nathan calls David out on all this. Nathan was God’s voice to David … calling for change. After a period of reflection, David ultimately sees the error of his ways, repents, understands the need for deep transformation, and seeks God for mercy and forgiveness. This is what we have recorded in Psalm 51 verses 1-9. Whereas not all the negativity and repercussions David set in train could be arrested, most assuredly still … David receives God’s forgiveness.

Challenge

Mercy given, forgiveness received; but how does David avoid slipping backwards again? When we receive forgiveness, how do we avoid slipping straight back? Jesus’ resurrection is designed to draw us into new life where previous mistakes are left behind! How do we stop eventually making the same mistakes? After all, we are still mortal and vulnerable … as Solzhenitsyn wrote: “The line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being”.

The psalmist David knew that he couldn’t really make any significant progress on his own or without God. ‘Old habits die hard’! The answer comes from verse 10 onwards. Read verses 10-12. Can we pray this prayer (verses 10-12), and then engage with some positive outcomes? No matter where we are coming from … a fairly low point, or from a pretty solid foundation, this prayer is a great springboard to a new year of opportunity, adventure and blessing.

The whole notion of growth in God is represented in these verses. Being from the Old Testament, the name of Jesus is not mentioned specifically, but we can easily see how the work and life of Jesus intersects with these words. Ultimately it was Jesus that cleared the path for new life … free from slavery to sin. And the life of the complete Community of God (Divine Trinity) is available to us to bring about any necessary change: from the creative love and compassion of God, to the sacrificial saving work of Jesus, to the presence and leading of the Holy Spirit.

Basically, to grow spiritually – is to embrace being a disciple of Jesus, experiencing new capacities and abilities … because we truly know Jesus.

Text

The prayer is for a “clean heart” and a “new and right spirit”. This is surely something that can ably carry us forward. This is not just in the area of behaviour modification, but much deeper into our motivations, the inner springs of everything we think, plan and do. This is dealing with the inner character and nature of a person.

Godly character being built in us is all important, which is why we still suffer many of the significant challenges that come across our path. Serious character is often built through adversity. Sometimes we run off seeking the quickest solution for pain and suffering, without considering what we are supposed to be learning through it. Not to say that God brought such suffering to us – the world can do that easily enough – but once it does come, God is wanting us to grow because of it. Relationship struggles are a key part of this. As we creatively work through difficult relationship issues, we are bound to grow in understanding and wisdom … and ultimately in Godly character.

Through a “new and right spirit” we will more likely make the right decisions for the right reasons, and develop God-honouring priorities, attitudes and goals. And, when the tree becomes healthier … the fruit will become more beautiful to taste. This is about moving right away from the ‘old’ mind, into a ‘new’ mind … where the conscience is well attuned, and freedom is exercised with due consideration.

To ask God to “create” (beginning of v.10) … is to give God enough access to do that work. This is ‘hands-on’ work for God! It’s a choice – we will or we won’t … give God sufficient space to move. Are we prepared to hear and face up to areas of our life that need some renovation? As this creative work can only be done by God, it would be a good idea to let God in!

Only God can do this work, but also sometimes it is our brothers and sisters in our church family who are in the position to point out some ‘blind-spots’ for us or challenge any destructive behaviours in us. Are we prepared to hear these words that are (hopefully) coming out of love and graciousness?

Although ‘creating’ is something God does pretty naturally, when we see such tremendous turn-arounds in people’s lives, we can also appreciate this as a form of miracle, and see this as an obvious opportunity to bring all praise and glory to God. The ultimate touch of the Triune God upon us, moves us from any selfish inward orientation (that easily succumbs to temptation and fear), toward the compassion, collegiality and cooperation that defines God.

There should be an excitement … as a share in God’s Spirit becomes an integral part of our new self. However, in verse 11, the psalmist David just backtracks a little … to the alternative … to the opposite … to a refusal to give God access! To lose touch with the Holy Spirit, as expressed here in verse 11, would be a disaster for David, and indeed a disaster for us … unthinkable! Yet this would be inevitable if one chooses to stay in rebellion (against God). This happened to King Saul for one (1 Samuel 16). The potential blessing sort of moves on (or past)!

So, let’s not let that happen … back onto the right road in verse 12. Two things there to practically go forward with: the “joy of salvation” and a “willing spirit”. But with the prayer to “restore” and “sustain” these areas of one’s spirituality, there again is that need to give God access – and obviously NOT on just a one-off basis, but on a CONTINUAL basis. ‘Joy’ and a ‘willingness to serve’ are often the first things to go when one’s life is taken over by negativity or the wrong pursuits. So, “joy” and “service” are seen as particular ‘signposts’ of growth (or the lack of it).

The prayer here is to “restore” what has been lost, ‘maintain’ the energy for 'their' upkeep, and to make sure ‘these’ are never lost again. We go forward spiritually through being able to express the “joy of our salvation” and a “willing spirit” through which to serve. We need to balance meeting the demands of everyday life … with cultivating our relationship with our Creator, Saviour and Sustainer! Are we trying to make provision for ourselves in our own limited capacity, or, rather casting ourselves totally on Jesus?

Conclusion (for now)

I reckon that living in the “joy of salvation”, and with a “willing spirit” is a good way to go for the years ahead! This is certainly to live on the positive side, even when certain circumstances seem to be against us. This is to live in the full appreciation of forgiveness and freedom, with an eternal perspective. This means we will naturally think beyond ourselves towards the needs (especially spiritual needs) of the other.

A “willing spirit” does NOT have to be forced or coerced or even persuaded; quite the opposite – here is a volunteer who responds because this is who they are now … this is their character. They are NOT easily dissuaded from the task at hand. The person with a “willing spirit” wants to know and activate God’s will, and bring God’s heavenly kingdom all the way to earth. The one with a “willing spirit” is committed, eager and generous! They are growing.