The greatest love of all

INTRO

Psalm 51 speaks of David’s deep sorrow, remorse and repentance after sexually sinning with Bathsheba.  In reading this Psalm we are led to recognise the real meaning of sacrifice.  Verses 16 & 17 say:

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

When I surrendered my life to Jesus in 2015 I didn’t know this Psalm, nor did I recognise what sacrifices I would need to make.  Yet as I read it I realise that God has restored to me a deep joy, and granted me a willing spirit, to sustain me.  Life is good and he pleases to prosper me in my life through friends, family, ministry and my times in the secret place with Him.

THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL

Mercy; YES, you are merciful, compassionate and forgiving,

When it was within your power to discipline me, instead you sat me down and shared your heart

I cried out in my place of deep regret, Have Mercy on Me O Lord, and you did not disappoint

I cannot say I did not know my actions were wrong, my inner moral compass kept pointing me to that fact

Born into sin, born a piece of struggling flesh, wrestling with temptation, mind filling with regrets,

SIN always before me, and to make it worse, it’s only you I sin against O God,

Only you I fail each time,

Doing evil in your sight, for you alone are Holy.

Holy, holy, holy God

For you alone are holy.

What changed, what altered within me to bring me to the altar of sacrifice?

Sick of the lies, sick of the thieving enemy who stole my joy, sick of the constant battle within my mind

A readiness to receive, to lay down my grieving for the promised beauty

To receive from God the joy of my salvation

Revelation

It is He who creates that newness within me, He who restores crushed bones and washes me whiter than snow

It is He who steadies my soul, who makes me whole, bringing me into alignment to accomplish my earthly assignment

He opens my mouth to praise, to worship in ways that satisfy,

Freedom comes with His sacrifice

Beauty for ashes

Joy for mourning

I am restored, I am his treasure

This, the greatest love of all.