Psalm 143 is known as a penitential psalm, a guide in the practice of repentance. It begins with the psalmist crying out for mercy and saying to the Lord in verse 2, "Do not bring your servant into judgement, for no-one living is righteous before you." He goes on to talk about his troubles and calls God to hear him and not turn his face away.
He then gets to our verse that we are looking at today.
Repentance is something that doesn't often get spoken of or taught on, but yet forms a key part of our liturgy on Sunday mornings. We know when we get taught the different ways of praying like A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication) that it should form a part of our daily prayer life, and yet sometimes gets too little or too much attention. We are promised however that when we do confess, when we do admit to our weakness, our failures and our need for God, he has promised to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)
But there is the part of repentance that goes beyond the words we pray. Repentance actually means turning away from our sins and doing them no more. The grace we receive, the unconditional love is no excuse to continue in the ways of the world, in activities that go against the calling of the spirit, in the lifestyle that is lived outside of the influence of God. Rather as the psalmist asks, we should be seeking to change. Our heart cry should be that God molds us to be more and more like Jesus, more and more in step with His Spirit, more and more loving towards others.
"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God;" is the way he says it. It is a request to, not only know God's will and plan, but to actually do it. Knowing his will comes from spending time in his presence and learning his heart for us and the world. Doing his will comes from relying on the courage the Spirit breathes inside us.
"May your good Spirit lead me on level ground" speaks of following the promptings of the Spirit. Learning to hear His whispers as he guides us in our day to day lives. It results in living a life that is coming alongside God and the work that he is doing in the world.
May this be your prayer this morning. May you have the bravery to open your heart up to God that he might work in you and change you. May you have the sensitivity to hear the Spirit and the courage to obey.
I pray that in this you will see the work of God in your life and the lives around you! Have a wonderful and blessed weekend!
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