Together in Christ: 'Renovation Needed' — Psalm 51:10

Monday, June 3, 2024

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Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

— Psalm 51:10 NLT

Key Thought

Our relationship verse today comes from David's confession and prayer after his multiple grievous sins against Uriah, Bathsheba, and God. [1] His sins were especially heinous because God had blessed David with deliverance and given him responsibility as King. [2] We live in a time when the exposure of a leader's sexual indiscretion feels like a daily occurrence. However, in David's case, "sexual indiscretion" doesn't fully describe his betrayal on multiple levels of God's trust. When a leader abuses power and position to fulfill out-of-control lust, then lies, deception, abuse of power, and worse — like murder in David's case [3] — can be involved. In addition, a person in a less powerful position is often grievously wounded and abused by the malicious use of power to fulfill out-of-control desires.

How do we avoid abusing our power and position?

How can we live and not be driven by a lust for sex, power, money, or influence?

How do we guard our hearts and keep our motives pure?

We can pray David's prayer because we need daily Spirit-led inner renovation! Our verse can be our daily prayer:

  • Asking God to re-create us, make us holy, and renovate us from the inside out — "Create in me a clean heart..."
  • Reminding us that our primary allegiance is to God and his ways — "...O God."
  • Reawakening us to our need for God's help in recalibrating our hearts — "Renew...
  • Seeking God's help to be righteous and loyal in our spirits so that this righteousness and loyalty show up in our lifestyle — "...a loyal spirit within me."

As I write this devotional on relationships, I am about to be gone on a two-week journey to Israel. When I travel, I know I will be tired, stressed, and tempted during my trip. I've decided to pray this prayer while I am on this journey. I hope you will join me in this prayer not only for the upcoming two weeks but also for the following two weeks. In this way, we will give this month to renewing our walk with the Lord, the Eternal God, to honor Him!

[1] Psalm 51:1; 2 Samuel 11:1-4, 14-15, 12:1-12.
[2] 2 Samuel 12:7; Luke 12:47-48.
[3] 2 Samuel 11:4-18.

Today's Prayer

O Father, I need the help of the Holy Spirit if I am going to live the fruit of the Spirit [A] in my daily walk with Jesus and my daily interactions with others. I know that my cravings for physical pleasures, personal acquisition, and prideful boasting about my achievements are rooted in fleshly worldliness and are not lasting. [B] I do not want these cravings to control me. [C] Holy Spirit, please lead me to become a reflection of Jesus to others. [D] In His name, I pray. Amen.

[A] Galatians 5:22-23.
[B] 1 John 2:15-17.
[C] 1 Corinthians 6:12.
[D] 2 Corinthians 3:17-18.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12; 1 John 2:15-17
  • 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

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Illustration

Illustration of Psalm 51:10 NLT — Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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