Restored

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
  and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
 or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
  and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
  so that sinners will turn back to you.
(Psalm 51:10-13)

We’re familiar with examples of non-apology apologies from famous people trying to restore public confidence after saying the wrong thing (‘I'm sorry if people were offended by my remarks’) or doing the wrong thing (‘mistakes were made’). But Psalm 51 reveals the very different heart of King David after he was confronted about taking advantage of Bathsheba and having her husband killed. He recognised that his heart was polluted and needed cleansing. Instead of showing concern about losing his reputation and asking God to restore public perception, David showed concern about losing God’s presence and asked God to restore the joy of his salvation. David understood that God’s restoration would not result in making things like they were before, but would transform the way he engaged with others who had sinned against God in similar ways.

Listen here to another interactive teaching on Jesus’ restoration of Peter in John chapter 21 and learn how God restores us when we’ve made a mess of things.