Psalm 51, the CR Psalm

Happy hump day team. :)

My quiet time brought me to Psalm 51 this morning, and I think it’s possible this is the most CR passage in the Bible and covers just about all 12 steps. Well maybe not the most, but it’s amazing to read the words of a powerful warrior king, out of denial, “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.”

Granted, he had just been caught in a terrible scandal, cheating with Bathsheba, & eventually killing her husband to cover up the result of his sin, her pregnancy. This is the same David, the “man after God’s own heart”. Ouch. 

I also have prayed verse 10 so many times in my life, “thanks” to my struggle with sexual addiction. And I believe that he has restored my heart — to a degree where verses 13-15 are where I’m trying to live now. And if I ever relapse (please God forbid), verse 10 is where I’ll be again. 

And he finishes the thought with “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” – Psalm 51:16-17 NIV

I’m so grateful that we serve a God of grace. Even in the Old Testament, with the Law, He desired our humility and contrite hearts (James 4:6/Proverbs 3:34) over our sacrifices. 

Check out Psalm 51 if you haven’t read it in a while.