Fast Devotional #5 – Create In Me a Pure Heart

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By Matt Destry – Communications Pastor

Scripture

Psalm 51:10 (NIV)

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Insight

Thomas Edison, American inventor and businessman, when reflecting on his career (and inventions that included the common light bulb) said: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” As we move through life, there will be (as you already know) times, situations and circumstances that don’t work out. People are imperfect (at least, I am) and we make mistakes. The key is moving through those times and not allowing them to stop our forward progress.

King David recognised this when he wrote Psalm 51. After being confronted about his adultery with Bathsheba and his subsequent murder of her husband, David prayed: “give me a pure heart, and a steadfast spirit”. A pure heart to start again, and a steadfast spirit to keep on going. King David needed these things like oxygen. After such a huge moral failure, he was reliant upon the grace and mercy of God – that the love of God would sustain him. And what was to stop King David from failing in the same way again? Only a steadfast and willing spirit to move on past the failure and into God’s future.

Prayer

Loving Father, you know me and you see everything about me, even the things I don’t like. Create in me a pure heart and by the blood of Jesus, wash me white as snow. Also grant me a willing spirit to persevere, and continue on with the things you have called me to do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.