"Broken Heart . . . Great!"

     Have you ever sinned?  Okay, that's an easy one to answer.  Now a little tougher question: How do you feel when you sin?  Guilty?  Sad?  Unforgivable?  Indifferent?  Well that sin was not too serious? 

     Picture a man.  A great man.  A man said to be after God's own heart.  He has just recently had a visit and heard some news about himself that he did not realize anyone else knew.  He thought he had all his bases covered.  Perhaps he sits on the edge of his bed, weeping uncontrollably.  His head spins.  His stomach churns.  He feels hopeless.  Slowly, he gets up and walks over to his writing table.  He thinks.  He prays.  He writes.

Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

blot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin...

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow...

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 ...

     The writer is King David.  He has recently been confronted by the prophet Nathan regarding his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband.  The writing is Psalm 51 (you are encouraged to read the entire chapter).  David knows that God is loving and powerful enough to forgive the awful transgressions.  But something is necessary on David's part before that forgiveness can take place . . .

You delight not in sacrifice, or I would bring it ...

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart,

O God, you will not despise.

     God despises sin; however, how we react to our realization of our sin determines whether God forgives . . . or condemns.  Does sin break your heart?  Not other's sins, but your own?  God is more than willing to forgive, but first we allow the fact that we sinned to cause our hearts to be broken and contrite.  The Hebrew for contrite means "to be crushed."  Our sin should bring us to sorrow.  It is then we can pray: Create in me a pure heart, restore my salvation, cast me not away.  And He will answer by washing and making you "whiter than snow."  

     So go ahead . . . allow your heart to break each and every time you sin . . . It is through broken hearts that repentance occurs and forgiveness can be given.

-J. Watson

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