“Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God‘s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the RENEWING of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God‘s will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2
When renewing your mind and focusing on God’s words planted there, He will provide the resources for your recovery from whatever has been holding you back.
It’s one of my all-time favorite hymns, yet I have not heard it in quite some time. It popped into my head this morning in the shower, bringing a flood of images from childhood to mind. Peacefulness, security, family gathered near on pew next to me….all mental scenes of joy and comfort for me today. That is the power of words and songs. They can conjure up images, create peace, help us to relive memories of happy times. But it can also be a trigger for some bittersweet emotions, as well. They can bring sadness of those who are no longer with us, around us, or in our lives. But in my year of RE- I am choosing to RENEW my life by thinking on bright, happy, joyful moments.
So, as this song came to mind, I sang it out in my shower, most likely frightening anyone with an earshot, as well as my dog, but I sang it anyway.
“Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, oh Lord, take not your Holy Spirit from me- Restore unto me, the joy of thy salvation, and renew a right spirit within me.”
This song/phrase comes from Psalm 51, written by David, who was one of the best examples of a comeback story in the Bible. Even though he was a man after God’s own heart, he was a sinner. He was a murderer, adulterer and deceiver of others. It brought him much pain and guilt, as well as hard consequences. He described his suffering in Psalm 32, as his “bones wasted away through my groaning all day.” But through God’s forgiveness, he was able to move forward with a clean heart and a renewed right spirit.
“When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night
your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
Psalm 32 tells of the great relief that David felt when he confessed, and in this psalm he encourages others to confess their sins as well:
“Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one
whose sin the LORD does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit.
“Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, ‘I will confess
my transgressions to the LORD.’
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
“Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
will not reach them.
You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the LORD’s unfailing love
surrounds the one who trusts in him.
“Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!”
In John it also tells us, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1: 8–9).
We can all probably relate to the ways that sin affects us in our body, our mind, and our spirit. It can make us physically, mentally and emotionally sick, holding in secrets that need to be confessed and repented of. Turning away from those things we know to be not only harmful to us, but also going against God’s word and will for our lives, can get us back on the road to reclaiming the best lives for ourselves.
So, if we are looking for 2023 to be a comeback story for our lives, we can begin by confessing our sins and shortcomings, asking God to create a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us, forgiving us.
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it’s springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a Way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.“ Isaiah 43:19
God, create in me a clean heart and RENEW a right spirit within me. Make me more like you, ridding me of any thoughts, words, or actions that do not align with your perfect will. Remove any patterns of behavior that do not reflect your character or your heart for people. Give me courage, strength and boldness, while keeping me humble, kind, gentle, and dependent upon you. In Jesus name, Amen
A FRUITFUL LEGACY 