Let the Broken Bones Rejoice

“Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.” (Psalms 51:8 ESV)

It's sad how frequently I get to that point. The point where the only thing I can cling to is grace, where my only cry is, "Have mercy on me, O God!" I ask God to make me whole. I ask him to make me clean, make me pure. I ask God to heal the self-inflicted wounds of sin with which I constantly scar my body. I ask God for the miracle of forgiveness that only he can give fully through his Son.

And I do this all the time.

While reading Psalm 51, I can't help but relate to every word of David. I have felt every emotion, regret, and longing described in the Psalm. I am a great sinner who is only saved by an even greater God.

The other morning, a new sin was exposed through this Psalm. The sin of misunderstanding the best of God. When I repent of sin and seek God's forgiveness, my expectation is healing. I believe that the best that God can give me is a new heart that doesn't lust, a new mind that doesn't boast, and new lips that don't lie. God's forgiveness does give those things, but those aren't the best results. Much of the time we are healing from wounds we gave ourselves, but sometimes we need healing from wounds God gave us.

David wrote, "Let the bones that you have broken rejoice!" If the best thing God could give us is the cessation of suffering, then he would never break our bones. God's best is joy in him!

He is willing to break us, harm us, and allow suffering for the sake of finding our true praise, joy, and completeness in Him. I have wounds all over my soul. Some are from me, some are from God. The real proof of God's grace is the ability for those wounds to rejoice.

Lord Jesus, break whatever bones you must for me to experience your joy. Your presence is the best I can receive!