The Deep End

Clean and New

The prophet Nathan came to David the king. Nathan told him about a man who had been blessed by God with more than he deserved. However, this rich man was covetous, and he took a fancy to something that God had given to a poor man. Even though the poor man valued the thing dearly, the rich man stole it from him.

David was furious. He wanted the rich man to be punished with the loss of his very life. That was when Nathan revealed that the Lord knew David had committed a sin like the rich man’s, but to an even worse degree.

The anger drained from David. It was replaced by shame, and he admitted his sin and earnestly sought God’s forgiveness (II Samuel 12:1-13).

David realized that he needed cleansing from sin, but even more than that, he needed to remove the cause of the sin. Otherwise, it would only be repeated. Therefore, he prayed,

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

Who alone can “create?” Who can make something out of nothing? Who can bring into existence a thing which never before existed? Only God. David needed more than a repaired or improved heart. He needed a whole new heart. Furthermore, he needed a “right spirit.” Christian preachers have a saying whereby they encourage people to “get right” with God. Despite the dubious grammar in this expression, it correctly captures the idea of David’s plea. Grievous sin has grievous consequences, but for those who come to God by faith in Jesus Christ and His work on the Cross, the Lord will create a new heart, a right spirit, forgiveness for past sins, and the victory over repeated sin.