Scripture to Read: Psalm 51:16–19
God had David finish Psalm 51 by discussing what God really desires from all who have sinned. God had David write in Psalm 51:16–19, “For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. 18 By Your favor do good to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, in burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then young bulls will be offered on Your altar.” The sacrifice of animals still happened every day in David’s day. But God desired something so much more before the sacrifice of an animal; He desired a person to be broken over their sins and to humbly come before Him to confess their sins. We know that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross has paid in full the debt of our sins, but we must still humbly come before our Lord broken over our sins as we confess our sins to Him. We must never treat our sins lightly or think that our sins are not that bad. God gave His all through Christ so we could have His righteousness dwell in us and live wholeheartedly for Him. After David came to God broken, David was ready to offer to God a blood sacrifice as payment for his sins. When we come to God broken over our sins, Christ has already made the payment, so we can tearfully thank God for His incredible forgiveness through Christ.
Challenge & Application
· What must everyone who has sinned before our Great God and King do to be restored to right fellowship with God?
· How can you use what God has taught you to help a fellow believer in their walk with our Lord?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!