What are we looking to create? What passion has God given us? When we create, we bring something into existence, produce, or generate.
David is asking not for anything else, but for God to bless him. He’s going right to the wellspring of his life–his heart. He’s asking God to create a clean heart in him.
The Bible tells us that the heart is deceitful, above all things. He is asking for a new heart that cannot emerge from doing better.
“A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will judge.” (Psalm 51: 17b)
A heart that is humble, He’s asking for. David is asking for mercy according to God’s unfailing love. He was just caught having an adulterous affair with a married woman, and he’s asking God for His compassion and forgiveness. He tells God to clean me with hyssop, “Wash away my iniquity (sin) and erase my sin.” (Psalm 51: 2) And God does.
- Our Creator loves to create a new tender, heart. It’s His specialty.
That’s why when we come to Him, He wants our heart. He knows it can get us into trouble! If He puts His seal upon our heart, it follows hard after Him.
David not only asks for his heart to be cleansed, and forgiven, but he asks that the Holy Spirit of God would not be taken from his life, nor from God’s presence. He truly knows the security in having the presence of God in his life. David, in addition, asks for restoration of his joy, and a willing spirit, to sustain him.
God loves to answer those kinds of prayers! Prayers that restore and refresh. God still can hit the reset button. (Shared from Psalm 51, Paraphrased)
When we are placed in a storm, we find out what kind of heart we really have, don’t we? Paul and his traveling companions were in the middle of a storm. As I read through how they survived these hurricane-like force winds, I found some pointers to help us, when we are in the storms of life, or even if we are shipwrecked.
- Make the lifeboat secure underneath.
The bible text notes said, “They passed ropes under the ship,” probably crosswise, in order to keep the ship from being broken apart.
- It’s the cross that will secure and undergird us and keep us from falling apart.
- Anchor down even if the wind and the waves are fierce. “They lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along.” (Acts 27: 17)
- Throw the cargo over. “They took such violent battering from the storm that they began to throw the cargo overboard.” (Acts 27: 18)
- Don’t let unnecessary cargo batter you, it may weigh you down. Learn to lighten your load.
- Throw the tackle down. “They threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.” (Acts 27: 19) There were heavy planks, serving as a brake, to slow them down.
- God honors the through and through in our lives. He works through when we throw it all down.
- Don’t give up hope. “They gave up all hope of being saved.” (Acts 27: 20)
At this point, after they are exhausted and have been battered, Paul stands up and his leadership skills kick in, saying, “Keep up your courage. Not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.” (Acts 27: 27)
He then tells them how an angel stood beside him last night and said, “Do not be afraid, Paul God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.” (Acts 27: 24)
God had a divine connection with each of them on that ship, all 276 of them.
- Our connection with just one may save a life.
They still had a wavy, stormy boat ride ahead of them, but they made it! The ones who can swim, jump overboard. The ones who cannot, hold on to the broken pieces of a plank in the water and swim to the shore.
- Those God calls He halls! (Shared from Acts 27: 13-44, Paraphrased)
Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called out to Samuel.
God calls the first time, and Samuel runs to his mentor. Then, Samuel goes back to sleep. God calls the second time, Samuel runs again to Eli. Once again, he goes back to lie down. God calls a third time, Samuel says, “Here I am Lord. Speak, Lord for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3: 10)
Samuel did not realize that God was the one calling him. He had served, assisted, shadowed, and had been under the guidance of Eli the priest for a long time. Now it was time to receive the calling and orders from God, not anyone else.
- Who are we answering to?
- Who is calling us?
- Who are we serving, man or God?
- Discern the time when to hear and go on your own.
When we serve man, we are serving God; but there’s a higher call on whom will instruct us.
- Learn to hear God’s voice above all others.
The Lord loves when we say, “Create in me…” After all, He’s created us in His own image, which takes a lifetime to cultivate. (Shared from 1 Samuel 3, Paraphrased)
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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