Verse of the Day 1/7

Verse of the Day 1/7

Psalm 51:10-12

New International Version

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,

    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

I had another verse in mind for this morning but as I read today's verses in my devotions this morning I changed course.  Some of you may have begun a read through the Bible program to start the year. lf it included the Old Testament you started in Genesis where we read "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth".  It is the same word here.  Creation in Genesis was something that only God could do.  With the human heart, it is only God that can truly create that clean, pure heart.

I've always loved the way Eugene Peterson paraphrased verse 10 in The Message, "God, make a fresh start in me,shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life."  Out of chaos God created the earth.  Out of the chaos in our modern lives God creates a clean pure heart.  Praise God for that.

I love these verses because they show God's handiwork in creation and in our lives. They also show our part in it, our hearts desire for restoration, healing, joy and a willing spirit. May you have this in abundance the year as we move on from the first days of the year, may the Lord restore and sustain you for the rest of the year.

Change my heart, O God,
Make it ever true.
Change my heart, O God,
May I be like You.

You are the Potter,
I am the Clay;
Mold me and make me
This is what I pray.

Change my heart, O God,
Make it ever true.
Change my heart, O God,
May I be like You.

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Psalm 51:10-19

New International Version

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,

    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    so that sinners will turn back to you.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
    you who are God my Savior,
    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 Open my lips, Lord,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is[a] a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise.

18 May it please you to prosper Zion,
    to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
    in burnt offerings offered whole;
    then bulls will be offered on your altar.