Derek Smith, Lead Pastor LHBC 

Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
    blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
    and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
    and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
    and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
    and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
    and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
    and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
    O God of my salvation,
    and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
    you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
    build up the walls of Jerusalem;
19 then will you delight in right sacrifices,
    in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
    then bulls will be offered on your altar.

An iceberg is a large piece of ice that has broken away from a glacier. Most icebergs are found in the ocean, but all consist of frozen fresh water. Icebergs are usually white, blue, or green and extend both above and below the water’s surface and may extend downward 1,000 feet (305 meters) and reach a height of more than 200 feet (61 meters).The only reason icebergs float is because the density of ice is lower than the density of seawater. The ratio of these densities tells us that 7/8 of the iceberg’s mass is below the waterline. There is much more beneath the surface than what you see on top.

David was a man after God’s own heart; yet he blew it big time. He lusted, which led to adultery with Bathsheba, which led to a cover up, which eventually led to having her husband killed. Wow, sin can really turn a clean heart dark if it remains undealt with! David obviously had a bunch of stuff below the waterline. On the surface everything looked great, but below the surface there was pride, selfishness, and deceit. However, when Nathan the prophet confronted David he responded with the appropriate response: confession and repentance. Psalm 51 is born out of that time when David’s heart was finally broken over what was below the waterline in his life.  

Today, what is beneath the surface? What is below your waterline? Is it insecurity, greed, or lust? Is it adultery or pornography? Is it fear, anger, depression, or anxiety? What people see and hear from us on the surface may not truly represent what is beneath. Scripture tells us that those who conceal their transgressions will not prosper, but those who confess and forsake them will find mercy (Proverbs 28:13). Today, confess sin and turn to Jesus. Let the Lord deal with all that stuff below the surface, and allow another godly Christian to bear the burden with you. Confess your sins also to someone you know and trust who will pray for you and hold you accountable to change (James 5:16). Also, with anxiety, fear, and depression it may not be sin at all. You might just be burnt out, discouraged, and in need of the hope and love that comes from the body of Christ. Whatever it is today below the waterline in your life bring it to Jesus and to another believer who loves and cares for you. Don’t let what’s below the surface cause you to sink in the sea of life. 

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, I know You are good even when I am not. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin and removes guilt, shame, and fear, so Lord I come and confess my sin to You. You know what is beneath the waterline in my life and I need Your grace. Lord, forgive me and fill me with Your love and Spirit. In Jesus name, amen. 

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Proverbs 28:1
The wicked flee when trouble pursues, but the righteous are as bold as lions.