Do not reject me! Do not take your Holy Spirit away from me!
Let me again experience the joy of your deliverance! Sustain me by giving me the desire to obey!
Psalm 51:11-12 NET
Oh, David. God is not finished with you yet.
So many people share the same fears David has in these verses. They believe their sin too great and they can’t see God ever using them again. They think they’ve spoiled their life, now the only usefulness they may have is Exhibit A of what not to do. But, God is a Great Renewer of lives. He doesn’t just forgive. He takes the life they think ruined and turns it into a beautiful story of redemption and healing.
“Rescue me from the guilt of murder, O God, the God who delivers me! Then my tongue will shout for joy because of your deliverance. O Lord, give me the words! Then my mouth will praise you.”
Psalms 51:14-15 NET
How does this come about, this rescue from guilt? It may be that we must accept that we have been delivered. Often, we believe in our heads that God forgives, but our hearts fail to get the message. We become paralyzed in our shame, unable to function as anything more than GUILTY. We seem to miss the words in the scriptures like redeemed and set free, thinking they are for other people.
The beginning of deliverance is claiming it, talking about it, putting words to what God has done. It’s liberating. This is not about an announcing our sin to the world. It is about giving God credit for the work in our lives.
We need to share God’s story in our lives. Why is it so important? David’s reason was to teach rebels God’s merciful ways, so sinners would turn to Him [Ps. 51:13]. He was not going to let this costly lesson to go unused. David’s restoration was going to be linked to his willingness to tell others about what God had done. His experience was not only going to strengthen him as a man, it would also strengthen a nation.
It is empowering to us as well. We will not see ourselves through the lens of guilt, but through the words of a beautiful tale of grace. Our friends and family will also be influenced too, through the accounts of God’s work in our lives. They will see His goodness played out right before their eyes if we allow it. Please don’t let shame and guilt keep you from stepping forward. Open your lips and praise God!
I sought the LORD’s help and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to Him for help are happy; their faces are not ashamed.
Psalm 34:4-5
