“Create in me a new heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

King David wrote Psalm 51 after he was rebuked by the prophet, Nathan for his adultery with Bathsheba.  Nathan used a parable to force the king to reflect on and take responsibility for his actions (read about it in 2 Samuel 12).  David’s heart was broken, so he cried out to God for not only forgiveness, grace, and mercy; but for help with making necessary changes in his life to avoid making such a mistake again.  He prayed for a clean heart, a renewed spirit, and restoration of joy.  He prayed for deliverance from guilt, but he also resolved to turn this bad situation into a powerful witness opportunity: “Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.” Psalm 51:13.

As you reflect on your own events and experiences of 2023, there is no doubt you will find times when you were disheartened, hurt, embarrassed, or lost. Whether you placed yourself in a bad situation as King David did, or you suffered through a difficult time due no fault of your own, there are lessons that can be learned by reflecting on the actions, feelings, and repercussions of yourself and others involved.  You may need forgiveness. You may need healing.  You may need both.  As a daughter of God, forgiveness and healing comes freely through His grace and mercy.

But don’t stop there! Ask God to give you a new heart and steadfast spirit so you can take the lessons you learned to help others in similar situations. Use a restored joy of your own salvation as a spark to encourage, comfort, and teach a fellow sister in Christ the ways of the Lord, and possibly guide a lost soul into the comfort and salvation found only in the arms of Christ. Make a resolution for 2024 to use your life experience – the good and the bad – for the glory and mission of God.  Let Him uphold you with His generous spirit so you can sign aloud His righteous (Psalm 51:12, 14).