“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise”
Psalm 51:17
Perhaps if I give you some of my time.
Perhaps if I give you some of my strength.
Perhaps if I give you some of my things.
Perhaps if I give you some of my thoughts.
Perhaps if I give you some of my success.
Perhaps if I give you some of my relationships.
Surely these sacrifices will bring you delight.
Surely these offerings will bring you joy.
I’m quite willing to give a tithe.
I’m quite willing to interrupt my schedule.
I’m quite willing to volunteer to serve.
I’m quite willing to do my part.
But I get the sense that you’re not satisfied with a piece of me.
I get the sense that momentary giving, momentary service,
momentary sacrifice, momentary ministry, momentary turning
of my heart to you will not satisfy you.
But I must admit that I’m afraid of what you require.
I’m afraid of a broken spirit.
I’m afraid of a contrite heart.
I’m afraid to be crushed by your grace.
So I try to distract you with my service.
Distract you with my time.
Distract you with my money.
Deep inside I know what you want.
Deep inside I am sure of what you require.
I’m afraid because I want to hold onto my heart.
I want to give it to other things.
I want to pursue pleasures outside of you.
I’m afraid to give you what would satisfy you.
I’m afraid of a broken heart.
So I regularly offend you with empty offerings and vacuous praise.
Hoping to my own destruction that you will be satisfied.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise
Psalm 51:17
If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life, will lose it, but whoever loses his life my sake and the Gospel’s will save it
Mark 8:34 – 35
This poem is written by Paul David Tripp from his book on Psalm 51, Whiter than Snow. Meditations on Sin and Mercy