Create In Me A Clean Heart

Evangelist Cry Ministry

Dr. Levi Howard Wright, Ph.D.

"Create In Me A Clean Heart"

Psalm 51:1-12

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

[1] Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. [2] Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. [3] For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. [4] Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. [5] Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. [6] Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. [7] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. [8] Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. [9] Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. [10] Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. [11] Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. [12] Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

This is the Word of the Lord for His people this day.........

Background Information

My Brothers and Sisters our message today is one of self-examination. And today I hope to speak to the heart and conscience of every man, woman, boy and girl. This Psalm was written by King David after the prophet Nathan had gone to him, after his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. David had committed a great sin in the eyes of the Lord.

Yes, in his desires to fulfill the "lust of his flesh", he had broken at least five of God’s Ten Commandments. Look at this man David ...... a man that the Bible say was a "Man After God’s Our Heart.

.... Look at David as he "Covet another man wife.

.... Look at David Lying and deceiving one of his very own loyal soldier to cover-up his own adulterous wrong doing after he had impregnated the man’s wife.

.... Look at David Killing an innocent man after Stealing his wife just to justify his own dirty deeds.

But, the Bible say that this low-down lying... dirty.... wife stealing.... adulterous.... man-slaughtering murder.... was a "Man After God’s Own Heart."

Listen, to David’s out-cry for mercy and forgiveness:

[1] Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

[2] Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

[3] For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

[4] Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment.

[5] Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.

[6] You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.

[7] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

[8] Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.

[9] Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

[10] Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.

[11] Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.

[12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit. (NRSV)

INTRODUCTION

I love the 51st Psalm. It’s a very personal prayer of confession, self-examination and a cry for forgiveness. I can really identify with the author of this Psalm. Not with what he did ..... but with his own sense and need for forgiveness.

Because I too am a "Man After God’s Own Heart", but sometime I find myself falling short of God’s goodness and mercy.

The Bible says, "We All Like Sheep Have Gone Astray....... We All Have Sinned And Fallen Short Of His Goodness."

Yes, we are "Men and Women After God’s Own Heart"..... but we find ourselves Lying Sometime.

Yes, we are "Men and Women After God’s Own Heart"..... but we find ourselves Hating One Another.

Yes, we are "Men and Women After God’s Own Heart"..... but we find ourselves Stealing from Others.

Yes, we are "Men and Women After God’s Own Heart"..... but we find ourselves Back-biting and Cheating One Another.