“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” – Ps 51:10
It’s interesting that David writes “create in me a clean heart…” in this verse. I think the tendency for most of us would be to frame it more like “make my heart clean” or “wash my heart…” Those ways indicate taking something soiled and attempting to get rid of any traces of dirt or messiness. Have you ever stained a piece of clothing and despite all attempts to get it completely clean it still has evidence of the spill or stain? To “create” something means to start from scratch…to end up with a brand new “thing” once the creating is finished. When David was appealing to God to create in Him a new heart, I believe he was calling on God’s creative power, the great Creator’s power, to give him a brand new heart! It’s crazy cos this Old Testament figure had such a New Testament revelation and relationship with God. That’s why in 1 Sam 13 God calls David “a man after My own heart”. Like David, be a person after God’s heart. Be someone who is so intimately entwined with Him that asking for a new heart is a natural part of your relationship. Cleaning up the messiness of your heart will always leave evidence of what created the mess in the first place so ask and believe God for a new heart. After all, He makes all things new (Rev 21:5) and that’s what His perfect will for you is! Love you guys heaps
