By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
Psalm 51:16-17 "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." - NIV
King David was described as a man after God’s heart. One of the key attributes to his state of heart that touched God, is what is described in psalm 51. He committed adultery, killed the husband of Bathsheba, attempted to conceal the sin and married her. God was angry with him and sent a prophet to rebuke him. His response made the whole difference.
David quickly acknowledged and deeply repented of his sin before God. Acknowledgement and repentance of sin allows God to forgive, draw close, heal, restore and do what He wants to do in one’s life. Some find it hard to apologise and acknowledge failure. They will instead find excuses to cover up the wrong they have done or blame others. Others do more ‘good works’ to appease God. But all He wants is a truly repentant heart.
Repentance takes humility, characterised by genuine brokenness of heart when we do wrong. We faulter in many ways. Progress and growth in our walk with God lies in admiting that we fail and always need God’s help. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. That’s the secret to a heart after God. He will not despise it.
Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
James 4:6 "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Shalom children of God.