Have you ever attended a concert, lecture, or sporting event? Maybe you couldn’t get a clear view of the stage, found the speaker a bit boring, or the game went into extra innings. Sometimes, it’s tough to sit still.
Last summer, I went to a baseball game with one of our sons and his family. We had good seats in the outfield, but the July sun was shining down on us the entire game. It was so hard to sit still, and by the eighth inning, I was hoping for the game to end soon. All of us were very thirsty and incredibly hot!
Behold, You delight in truth in the inward being,
And You teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
- Psalm 51:6
In Psalm 51, David turns to the Lord during a difficult time in his life. The prophet Nathan had come into the royal court and confronted him about his sin of adultery and murder. Where could David turn? He wisely chooses to humble himself before the Lord.
Yes, David’s heart and soul were stained by sin, but his desire was to seek God’s mercy and grace and be restored in his heart's relationship with the Lord.
You delight in truth
The verb, delight, almost seems out of place here. At its core meaning, it points to satisfaction or pleasure. David acknowledges that God is the all-knowing One.
God desires inner righteousness from those who truly follow Him. He absolutely does “delight” in truth because He is Truth (see John 14:6), and He calls His children to walk in truth.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
- 3 John 1:4
You teach me wisdom
Maybe you recall a particular teacher who was outstanding. You stayed engaged during each lecture, studied hard, and finished the course with a good grade.
Our Heavenly Father invites us to join the course of wisdom. It’s a demanding journey, and we will be part of it for our entire lives. I’ve realized that it involves constantly humbling myself before the Lord and seeking repentance.
The inward being || The secret heart
What does God expect? He doesn’t just want outward acts of obedience. Instead, the Lord desires complete honesty and a sincere heart fully committed to Him.
The sacrifice You desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
- Psalm 51:17
Am I completely honest with Him, or am I hiding behind shame, fear, or guilt? He knows the deepest, most secret part of my heart. Will I willingly bow before Him and admit my desperate need for His forgiveness, mercy, and grace?
We can be freed from the burden of our hidden hearts, and God can erase our secret guilt. Remember, God sees everything. When we approach Him in humility and sincerity, He will reveal what needs to be cleansed and forgiven in our hearts.
If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- 1 John 1:9
Head to Heart
Find a peaceful spot and sit before the Lord. Read the following verses aloud.
Behold, You delight in truth in the inward being,
And You teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
- Psalm 51:6
The sacrifice You desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
- Psalm 51:17
The first verse and refrain of the hymn “Open My Eyes” encourage quiet reflection and genuine repentance before the Lord.
Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
DGTM RESOURCE: Your Personal Decision to Walk with God
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