What is Your Heart Posture? Draw Near to God Through Forgiveness

Our heart posture matters in how we draw close to God.

Psalm 51 shows essential heart postures that can draw us closer to God through receiving His forgiveness.

• A Needy Heart.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. vs. 1-2.

David, the author of these words, realizes his need. He had sinned and knew he needed the forgiveness from God.

• A Submissive Heart.

For I know my transgression, and my sin is always before me. vs.3.

David continues to seek God, knowing that sin was a barrier in his heart.

Pride didn’t justify the sin. The posture of his heart became humble and submissive to the Lord. Through confessing the sin, he put himself in the position for the internal heart cleansing.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. vs. 7.

• An Obedient Heart.

David knew what he needed to confess and admitted his sin to God, wanting restoration of his relationship with God. He longed for the previous joy.

Do not cast me from your presence or take you Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain  me.

• An Expectant Heart.

Once David’s relationship with God was restored, he became expectant that God would use him again, in spite of the past sin. He received forgiveness and moved forward. The sin didn’t define him. God continued to use David.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. vs. 13.

• A Restored Heart.

No longer restless from the burden of unconfessed sin, David praised God for the restoration of relationship.

O Lord, open my lips and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it…The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you do not despise. vs. 15 -17.

God extends the grace of forgiveness to all of us. It begins with the recognition of our sin and a needy heart.

Do you feel distant from God because of sin? Ask yourself these questions:

Do I have an unforgiving spirit?

Am I holding on to bitterness or hurt feelings?

Have I taken in more of the world and less of the Word of God?

Release the sin through confession.

Receive God’s forgiveness and restoration of the joy of salvation.