Psalm 51:17 ICB The sacrifice God wants is a willing spirit. God, you will not reject a heart that is broken and sorry for its sin.
That verse tells me what Jesus really wants from me is the offering of a broken and sorry, i.e., a contrite heart. And my offering to Jesus of a contrite heart can not only change my life but every word I say or write to be for His glory and the good of His people.
A contrite heart is a heart hospitable to the truth spoken in love from Scripture and by Spirit-filled folks (see Ephesians 4:15).
A contrite heart is also a teachable heart seeking only Jesus and His will, way, wisdom, and working in life.
A contrite heart requires a hospitable heart and a teachable heart.
A contrite heart is a healthy heart.
Scripture also tells me my heart is deceitful above all things and wicked in all its’ ways (see Jeremiah 17:9). Yet, if I believe that God can do the impossible as He says He will, I can receive a new heart (see Jeremiah 32:17 and Ezekiel 36:26). A new heart that’s healthy in being dead to self and alive to Christ (see Galatians 2:20).
God doesn’t just add on or attach the new to the old.
He excises the dead and transplants the new (see Ezekiel 11:19).
God gives me a heart I can’t get for myself – white as snow, always humble, whole, teachable, hospitable, and contrite. And that new heart is a healthy heart life-giving in grace, memorable in mercies, and distinctive in love for God and others (see Deuteronomy 6:4 and Isaiah 1:18).
Scripture also tells me this new healthy heart will transform my life and translate God’s love through me to others. This new healthy heart will display God’s glory and goodness for others, in words and in deeds. As importantly, when I am living in the life gushing up and out from a new healthy heart, others in my life will see “Jesus in me” in place of “me, myself, and I.”
And that picture is indeed worth (far more) than a thousand words!
Speaking of pictures, many times when I’m praying and when I’m writing, I often have pictures of people in my head and heart. Folks I know and folks I don’t know. But no matter who’s in the picture in my head, I know this: God knows them and loves them, even more than I ever could. That’s why this verse from Psalm 19:14 ICB is especially close to my heart every day, I hope my words and thoughts please you. Lord, you are my Rock, the one who saves me. I truly want every word I write or say to be pleasing to my God Who loves every person so much He gave His only beloved Son, Jesus, to pay the price of sin for every single one of us, once for all (see Romans 5:10).
With that in mind, if someone’s picture came to mind while you were reading this post, please consider taking some time right now to pray for him or her. There’s no one who doesn’t need the love of Jesus. And there’s no one who’s past receiving forgiveness and redemption from Jesus.
Part 1 of this post can be found at the link below:
written by and copyrighted to Beth Madison, Ph.D., 2026.
Soul Scientist 
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