“Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.” (Psalm 51:13-15)
Does God need us to serve Him or to praise Him? No. Of course not. He’s God. So why does David seem to be promising God that he will serve and praise the Lord once he’s forgiven?
Because David understood his life meant nothing if it wasn’t used in service of God. He knew that he, David, needed to point others to God and worship his Creator. That was his purpose. And he knew that his sinful choices had kept him from doing that.
So he prays: Restore me, so I can show other sinners like me that they need to turn around. Restore me, so I can sing about you again. I can’t praise you if we are separated, God, open my lips and let my praise flow again. Forgive me, so I can start giving myself away to you again.
Think: Do you ever think of the ability to praise and worship God as His gift to you? Do you notice when you’re dabbling in sin that you’re less effective at telling God how great He is?
Pray: Ask God to give you an appetite for praising Him and pointing others to Him. If that doesn’t come naturally to you, ask Him to open your lips so you can declare His praise.
Do: Read Romans 11:33 – 12:2 and think about the point of a life NOT given away to God.