Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.” vss. 11-12
Psalm 51:6-11
For a couple of generations these verses were regularly sung as a part of liturgical worship in many congregations. We probably didn’t intentionally memorize them, but they became embedded in our brains nonetheless. For many they were a reminder that one of the main reasons we worship is for spiritual renewal. It is both a duty and a joy to regularly bow our hearts before God, acknowledge our sin, and then receive the cleansing assurance of forgiveness. For some it’s been disconcerting to notice that modern liturgies seem to be moving away from weekly confession. Some pastors evidently are feeling that their congregations are put off by reminders of sin and guilt, and that worship should be dominated by joy and praise. While such services can indeed be fun, they fail to deal with our regular need for re-creation. It’s like imagining that brushing our teeth is only an occasional necessity and can be neglected at will. The truth is that our brokenness requires regular attention, and we need frequent assurances of God’s love and forgiveness. The image of God in us can often become blurry and distorted, and prayers for restoration will always be appropriate. And with the renewal, joy and praise will abound!
Thought for the Day: What happens in me during worship?
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