Create in me a Clean Heart

Written by: Kate Belford

As the beginning of a new year has come, I sit and reflect the previous year and wonder what

lies ahead in the new year. What kind of life do I want to lead and what I would like to

overcome or leave behind. This year I found myself asking God to “create in me a pure heart

and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). Above all, my desire is for the Lord, to

transform my heart into His likeness and to instill an unwavering commitment to Him. We all seem

to have expectations or goals for the new year but how we approach them can foreshadow our

path for the future.

I asked myself , “where is my heart positioned? Did I let idols into my heart?” Matthew 6:21 says

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”. “Above all else, guard your heart,

for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23) and finally I asked “does what I want to

accomplish align with God’s will for my life?” I can assure you we always find the will of God in

His word, which doesn’t always look like what we have in mind for the answer. If you’re like me,

you want specifics and a complete plan laid out but He wants us to delight in His plan and His

way. The disciple whom Jesus loved shared in His writings in 1 John 5:14 that “This is the

confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

Asking God for a clean pure heart just as David did in Psalm 51 is a great place to start. “Blessed

are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8) is a scripture that echoes in my soul

for this is one of His promises! A repentant heart will always lead us back to the Father. His

kindness and compassion are generous and His arms are open to accept you with forgiveness.

Whether it’s for the first time or 20th time. We can let our guard down and create idols in our

lives but Jesus’s death on the cross became our victory over sin and death. Our “Yes” to the Savior

gave us life! Bridging the gap to our Father in heaven and coming into relationship with Him.

David also asks God to “Renew a steadfast spirit within me” in Psalm 51:10; a spirit that can

walk in a manner worthy of our calling, which cannot be done on our own. “A broken and

contrite spirit” (Psalm 51:17) that is in full dependence on the Trinity—Father, Son and Holy

Spirit. “Restore to me the joy of my salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me”

(Psalm 51:12). Here David asks for restoration, for the Joy of the Lord to be restored to him and

again a spirit to sustain his commitment to the Lord. I believe we can all relate to David. We

wrestle with our flesh and sin; our desires versus God’s desires for our lives. Jesus was fully God

and fully man so He understands our struggles and has compassion for us. He extends His love

and His grace to us. Will you accept it?

So, my friend, will you join me in one simple step of faith? In a heart cry out to God, like David

did in Psalm 51 and so many more that have followed: Ask God for a clean heart, a renewed

spirit and restoration. I encourage you to continue on and share with Him your hopes and

desires for this new year. “And He who searches our hearts know the mind of the Spirit,

because the Spirit intercedes for Gods people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans

8:27).

Heavenly Father, I thank you for your great compassion on us and for new beginnings. Purify my

heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore in me the joy of my salvation. “Teach me

to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm

footing.” (Psalm 143:10) In Jesus name I pray, Amen.