A Prayer for Restoration

For the choir director. A Davidic psalm, when Nathan the prophet came to him after he had gone to Bathsheba.

Be gracious to me, God,

according to Your faithful love;

according to Your abundant compassion,

blot out my rebellion.

Wash away my guilt

and cleanse me from my sin.

For I am conscious of my rebellion,

and my sin is always before me.

Against You — You alone — I have sinned

and done this evil in Your sight.

So You are right when You pass sentence;

You are blameless when You judge.

Indeed, I was guilty when I was born;

I was sinful when my mother conceived me.

Surely You desire integrity in the inner self,

and You teach me wisdom deep within.

Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones You have crushed rejoice.

Turn Your face away from my sins

and blot out all my guilt.

God, create a clean heart for me

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not banish me from Your presence

or take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore the joy of Your salvation to me,

and give me a willing spirit.

Then I will teach the rebellious Your ways,

and sinners will return to You.

Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God,

the God of my salvation,

and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.

Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will declare Your praise.

You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it;

You are not pleased with a burnt offering.

The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit.

God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.

In Your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper;

build the walls of Jerusalem.

Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices,

whole burnt offerings;

then bulls will be offered on Your altar.

(PSALM 51, HCSB)

Receiving Favor From the LORD

Ten years ago this morning, I woke up for the first time as a married man, and I was only just beginning to understand how much more there was to marriage than simply waking up next to someone. Though there have been a number of times I am sure she wanted to strangle me and times when  got frustrated with her, my wife and I have enjoyed ten years worth of support, forgiveness, and understanding, and I cannot imagine having a better life with anyone else. I can say, honestly, that the author of Proverbs demonstrated his understanding when he wrote, The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord (Proverbs 18:8, NLT). 

If you have found your treasure from the LORD, make sure that you protect and treasure it. If you haven't, I pray that the Lord will show you as much favor as I have been granted.