A new heart
by Pastor Jim Strelan
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Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).
Have you marvelled at the miracle of a heart transplant? The old heart is no longer operating effectively. It’s worn out; without a transplant, it means death. If you were the recipient of such a transplant, you would have so much gratitude because you have been given a new chance at life.
When Jesus calls people to follow him, he spells out exactly what that means. It’s challenging and can even be off-putting. How can I possibly be everything he calls me to be? Psalm 51 calls on God’s unfailing love and great compassion (verse 1). The songwriter acknowledges that he falls short and lifts his eyes to a gracious God. Cleanse me, wash me clean, and ‘let me hear joy and gladness’ (verse 8). How would we manage if this following business was just left totally to us and our efforts? We would need to constantly ask our God to have mercy on us.
The reality is that the way we are and how we act and live out our Christian calling all depend on the state of our hearts. Actually, it all depends on the goodness of God. He’s the surgeon who alone has the skill to do a heart transplant – not physically but in terms of the renewal of spirit that he can bring (verse 10). The prayer of these verses is a prayer we can pray every day of our lives. It’s a matter of asking God to keep on renewing, purifying and transplanting. That’s the way he works.
In the Lutheran liturgy, this verse (verse 10) is something sung just before communion. It is there that we are fed, there Jesus is shared, there we know we have forgiveness, and there where renewal is promised and given. Like a father, God cares for his children, and so, he provides for them. A disciple of Jesus knows that and depends on it. When God does his thing, then we can have joy and gladness (verse 8).
Lord Jesus, you call us to follow you. We look to you to constantly renew us, refresh us and create in us something new every day. Thank you for your unfailing love. Amen.
Jim Strelan is a retired pastor who lives in Brisbane, Queensland. He has worked in Papua New Guinea, two Lutheran colleges and two suburban congregations, both with schools. He has three children and seven grandchildren and loves them all unconditionally. His passion is to share the gospel in ways that are as clear and simple as possible.
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