I didn't know he was dead. I didn't know he had been somewhat controversial. And I certainly didn't know that he had written, co-written, and performed many best selling songs. All I knew at the time was what I heard on the radio that day. His voice was, well, not exceptional in any way. He just sounded like a guy singing. I found myself wondering just why this piece had made it to the radio, at all.
I considered changing stations. Something about the lyrics, though, held my attention. I felt I knew them from somewhere.
Create in me a clean heart, oh God
And renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence, oh Lord
Take not thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation,
And renew a right spirit within me.
In time, I realized the man was singing scripture: part of Psalm 51; and almost verbatim. I was used to songs about things in the Bible, but this —this singing verses without forcing them into some kind of rhyme— this was something a bit new to me.
King David wrote Psalm 51 after the Prophet Nathan told him a story. In the story, a man —a rich man; one with plenty of everything; power, wealth, accolades— stole, slaughtered, and ate a poor man's only lamb. Reacting, David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, "As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die!" (2 Samuel 12:5 NIV). Then Nathan, who knew that David had secretly had sex with Bathsheba and arranged for her husband to be killed in battle, turned on David and declared, "You are the man!"
Ever have one of those moments? That awful slice of time when it’s shoved in your face that what you’ve done is not only wrong (really, really wrong), but known!
It was a shocking wake-up for King David. And it made an impact. Finally remorseful for his actions, David felt the full force of being cut off from God by his sin. He wrote Psalm 51 to express his remorse and his desire to be forgiven.
You may have done some terrible things in your life. David certainly did. Don't let those decisions and actions keep you from God. Embrace the words of Psalm 51 as your prayer of forgiveness and reconciliation. Yes, there are always consequences for our actions, and our bad actions can come with some pretty horrific consequences.
David's did.
By the time Keith Green finished singing his song, I began to grasp what he undoubtedly already knew. With that particular song, the words are far too important to let them be overshadowed by anything, even by the music ... even by the performer. What I learned is this: if I am willing to change, God is willing to forgive, to restore and renew.
And even create in me a clean heart.
_________________________
PHOTO: Steve Orr
DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast is Friday morning. Our official start time is 8:00, but sometimes a few of us come a minute or two early. Our official end time is 9:00, but we’re having such a good time, it’s really hard to leave. Join us.
Blessings,
Steve
Contact me for the Zoom link.
NOTE: Zoom allows you to mute the camera if you don’t wish to be seen and to mute the microphone if you don’t wish to speak.
SCRIPTURES FOR THE COMING WEEK
Find them here: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:1-12 or Psalm 119:9-16
Hebrews 5:5-10
John 12:20-33
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