Psalm 19:12-14 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
From the outside looking in, you would think King David had it all together. I'm sure he could play the part of King very well. He could probably go through the motions of being a worshiper better than most, yet he knew God didn't want a show and took no pleasure in such things. God desires truth and sincerity from the inside out (Ps. 57:6), something David learned in the valleys of his life. He knew what it meant to build an altar to God not just physically for sacrifices but also in his heart.
So many people have the place of the altar confused as purely a physical spot in a sanctuary, yet, we are the temple in which God dwells (1 Cor 6:19). So where is your altar? Do you repent daily and ask for the Lord's help and instruction? Do you put your selfish ways to death and pick up your cross to follow Christ in every thing--big and small? David knew the value of a repentant heart as he often prayed as in Psalm 51: 4, 9, 10:
As Christians living under the New Covenant of Christ's shed blood, how much more quickly should we repent knowing that the Holy Spirit lives in us? When we do so, we find a new song of joy that wells up in our heart and spirit--the joy of salvation and grace.
Who perceives his unintentional sins?
Cleanse me from my hidden faults.
Moreover, keep Your servant from willful sins;
do not let them rule over me.
Then I will be innocent,
and cleansed from blatant rebellion.
May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to You,
LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.
From the outside looking in, you would think King David had it all together. I'm sure he could play the part of King very well. He could probably go through the motions of being a worshiper better than most, yet he knew God didn't want a show and took no pleasure in such things. God desires truth and sincerity from the inside out (Ps. 57:6), something David learned in the valleys of his life. He knew what it meant to build an altar to God not just physically for sacrifices but also in his heart.
So many people have the place of the altar confused as purely a physical spot in a sanctuary, yet, we are the temple in which God dwells (1 Cor 6:19). So where is your altar? Do you repent daily and ask for the Lord's help and instruction? Do you put your selfish ways to death and pick up your cross to follow Christ in every thing--big and small? David knew the value of a repentant heart as he often prayed as in Psalm 51: 4, 9, 10:
"Against You—You alone—I have sinned and done this evil in Your sight. So You are right when You pass sentence; You are blameless when You judge... Turn Your face away from my sins and blot out all my guilt.
God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. "
As Christians living under the New Covenant of Christ's shed blood, how much more quickly should we repent knowing that the Holy Spirit lives in us? When we do so, we find a new song of joy that wells up in our heart and spirit--the joy of salvation and grace.
