Virtual Methodist

For the second time in a matter of months this morning I'm preaching on the theme of "New Beginnings" based on  Luke 5: 33ff . The last time it was in my previous congregation,  Dundonald Methodist, where they were anticipating changes with a new minister arriving in a matter of weeks, while this time, I'm on the other side of the move and my new congregation are probably a bit anxious about what upset this new minister will cause. The last time I said on the blog that I wasn't using David's Penitential Psalm (I managed to delete the previous post instead of re-blogging it... not having a good time with technology at present), but that it might have been appropriate... this time I am using this  plea for forgiveness and spiritual renewal...  Out of your unfailing love, O God, have mercy upon me; Out of your grace, wipe away my wrongdoing. Wash away my guilt Cleanse me from my sin. For I know what I have done wrong, My sins are staring me straigh...

Few of the Psalms are related so directly to the life of David as Psalm 51. Some include echoes of his life story: as a shepherd, a soldier being hunted by the then King Saul, and of events in his own reign as King. But none so specifically pinpoint any of the stories of his life as this one, which is directly associated with his adulterous liaison with Bathsheba and its consequences. We don’t know whether it was written by David, or simply inspired by his story, but it still speaks of someone wrestling with guilt. Unattended to guilt can be the grit that produces, not a pearl within the oyster of our hearts and minds, but a series of spiritual and psychological problems, that may also manifest themselves in physical illness. But even where we think that we have "got away with it" (much like David) we are assured that no wrong-doing goes un-noted, and we will have to answer for our guilt one day.  David's story may be about sex, conspiracy and murder in high places, ...

Out of your unfailing love, O God, have mercy upon me; Out of your grace, wipe out my wrongdoing. Wash away my guilt Cleanse me from my sin. For I know what I have done wrong, My sins are always staring me straight in the face. You, above all, are the one I have sinned against. You have seen the full extent of my evil. You have all the facts before you So your judgement of me will be fair. I have been sinful since my birth A sinner born of sinners. You want us to be true from inside to out. Enter then, and renew me with your wisdom within. Cleanse me with spiritual soap, and I shall be clean; Wash me, so that I might be whiter than snow. Let my ears hear songs of rejoicing and happiness; Let my heavy limbs dance for joy. Turn your face from my sins Erase my errors. Create in me a new holy heart, O God, Breath a new steadfast spirit into me. Do not turn me away from your presence Or remove your Holy Spirit from me. Restore within me the joy of your salvation ...