Day 14
Have Mercy on Me
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right[a] spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
In his 1973 song, “Have Mercy on the Criminal,” Elton John tells the story of someone who has committed a crime. Throughout the song, the point of view constantly changes between the criminal and, it seems, someone watching the criminal. It is unclear if the criminal has been caught and is thinking about his past behavior or if he is on the run from the law after committing the crime and is being pursued.
Regardless of the perspective throughout the song, the chorus is always sung by the criminal: “Lord, you got to help me. I am never gonna sin again. Take these chains from around my legs.” The criminal is asking for mercy. We know two things for certain: the criminal faces earthly justice for his crimes, but the Lord hears the criminal’s cries for mercy and answers his cries.
David writes Psalm 51 after committing adultery with Bathsheba. In our modern times, we would liken King David’s behavior to a despotic dictator who fears no repercussions from the law. After the prophet Nathan confronts David about his sin, David realizes the horror of what he has done and he begins the 51st Psalm asking God to have mercy on him, to cleanse him of his guilt, and to wash his sin away. David goes further. Not only does he ask God to forgive him, but he also asks God to make him new.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10). And that is what we need as we begin 2024. We not only need to ask for mercy because “all have sinned and fallen short”(Romans 3:23), but we serve a God who will show us mercy. The good news of the Gospel is that God can make us new and give us a clean start. And we can receive that new start as we begin each day simply by admitting our sins, asking for mercy, and asking God to make us new.
Application: Today, this week, and throughout this year, we recognize that we are sinners in desperate need of a savior regardless of our perspective faith journey. We have a savior in Jesus. As you begin or finish this day, confess to God your shortcomings, ask for mercy and for God to create in you a clean heart, and rest in knowing that He will never come up short. He will always forgive and create something new.
Written By: Matt Brashier