From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Wed, Jan 19, 2022 at 6:14 AM

Subject: 1-19-22 THOUGHTS

1-19-22   THOUGHTS

I have gone to Psalms 51 often for almost 60 years.  I was taught appreciation for this psalm as a teenager, by a man who’s body and mind was racked by the consequences of war.  His life played out as a disaster, but I always thought of him with respect and fondness.  Hebrews 11:4 ends with “though he is dead, he still speaks.”  I love verses 7-13 below.

Ps 51:11-17      « For the choir director. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. »      Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. 2  Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin. 3  For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me. 4  Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge. 5  Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. 6  Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. 7 ¶  Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8  Make me to hear joy and gladness, Let the bones which You have broken rejoice. 9  Hide Your face from my sins And blot out all my iniquities. 10  Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11  Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12  Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit. 13  Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You.  14 ¶  Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation; Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness. 15  O Lord, open my lips, That my mouth may declare Your praise. 16  For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering.  17  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

My Prayer:
Father, when will we teach transgressors Your ways, and when will sinners be converted to You?   Teach us to number our days so that we might be converted into fruit-bearers.  Instill in our hearts a discipleship that makes disciples.  Help us to rise above complacency and apathy.  Fill our spirits with a zeal to perfect and fulfill the core cause of our faith.  Restore our spirits, Lord.  Revive our souls to loving you with all our hearts and souls and minds.  Fix our minds on things above, not on things on this earth.    We pray always in Jesus,     Amen