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A BROKEN HEART (I)
FRIDAY, APRIL 2
Psalm 51:1-4

2 Samuel 11:1-4

 

“Have mercy upon me,

O God…”

 

A BROKEN HEART (I)
 
We often speak today of a “broken heart” as a synonym for personal disappointment ‒ we are “broken-hearted” when we don’t get what we want. This is not what David means when he speaks of “a broken and a contrite heart” (Ps 51:17). Psalm 51 records David’s response to his own sin; and it is not his own disappointment that moves him, but God’s disappointment. What then is this “broken heart” that a Christian ought to have, when he or she falls into sin?
 
A broken heart desires mercy from God. David begins the psalm with an impassioned plea, the central thought on his mind: “Have mercy upon me, O God.” There are three crucial acknowledgements involved in this plea. First, David recognises that God is willing to show mercy. He speaks of God’s “lovingkindness” and “tender mercies” (v 1). Such is God’s nature that He delights to show mercy: He is a gracious and merciful God!
 
Second, David realises that God is able to show mercy. As much as He is merciful, God is also holy and just, and it would be utter presumption for David simply to ask God, “Wash me throughly from mine iniquity” (v 2). Imagine a convicted criminal simply asking the judge to let him off the hook! But David knows that God is able to show mercy, because He has already made provision for it ‒ God has already prepared a sacrifice (none other than His only begotten Son) to satisfy His justice, and so mercy is available.
 
Third, David acknowledges that he himself is in great need of mercy (vv 3-4). Notice that he makes no attempt to excuse himself, but fully acknowledges his guilt. In fact his clear concern is not for himself to be vindicated, but for God to be vindicated; to be “justified” when He speaks. He is genuinely asking for mercy: he knows he does not deserve it. How common it is for us to respond to our sin by making excuses and blaming others (a practice as old as Adam, cf. Gen 3:12)! If only we would simply acknowledge our guilt and seek mercy from God ‒ He is merciful, and forgiveness is freely available in Christ.
 
THOUGHT: Sin is transgression against God’s law (1 John 3:4).

PRAYER: Merciful Father, please cleanse me from my sins.

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