Notice the first word in the title, repent. God knows that I am a sinner, as I should know as well (and do). With that said, it is my responsibility to repent of those sins, whether I am fully aware of them or not.
“6Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” – Psalm 51:6 (ESV)
When I come to Him with repentance, He is delighted and excited to commune with me. I have a duty to take the opportunity to commune back with Him. He is the reason for my existence, and the author of my actions. Without communion with Him, I may as well not exist as my actions are not in tune with His desires for me.
Once I have placed myself in a position of repentance, I am now able to hear what it is he has for me.
“8Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.” – Psalm 51:8 (ESV)
And what is it that He wants for me, “joy and gladness”. What a wonderful thing for God to present to me. He wants for me to have “joy and gladness” in my life and heart. Before I am able to “hear joy and gladness” I have to place myself in the right state of mind, body, heart, and soul. How is it that I get there but by repentance.
Now that I am able to hear what God has for me, I am tasked with listening, as He breaks me down into something new again.
“10Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” – Psalm 51:10-12 (ESV)
My willingness to be made new again can only be realized as I break down all of the old in my life. That old begins with repentance. Once I have repented, I have the openness to “hear joy and gladness” coming from God as our relationship is renewed. And now that our relationship is renewed, God will take and make me new again.
I am glad that I can follow this process daily and be renewed. I have a God that understands my humanness and as such looks for the chance to renew me, but it all begins with me and my repentance of the sin that has separated the us through whatever time it happens to be. I have to remember that the sin I have is known and may not be known, and as such I repent each day. That repentance allows my hearing and listening to God’s renewal of all of me.
What sin is getting in the way of your renewal from God, are you even aware it is there? When was the last time you repented of all sin, even that which you were not aware? How do you think the feeling of renewal will feel that come from God once you have repented and “hear joy and gladness”?
Trevor's Thoughts 