Psalm 51:13-19
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
build up the walls of Jerusalem;
19 then will you delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar. ESV
Psalm 51:13-19 How do you know if you are sorry or only sorry you were found out? What does repentance look like? We have a habit of trying to earn forgiveness or right standing. The Psalmist-David points out that God is not looking for our works or sacrifice. Our works lack any righteousness. God is looking for a broken & repentant heart. There is a time to offer sacrifice & a time to walk in good works which He prepared in advance - before creation - for us to walk in. When we have sinned we are to come with broken-humble-contrite hearts to the throne of Grace. Our salvation is by Grace through Faith in the perfect work of Jesus on the cross! Pride must be put to death! Lay it all at the feet of Jesus!
