Do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Have you ever prayed these words? A king did it!

David had seen disobedient and rebellious King Saul lose everything.

Suddenly, when confronted by the prophet Nathan, he realizes his personal spiritual situation, and he repents, confesses and prays: “Do not take your Holy Spirit from me.” psalm 51

David is alert and sensitive to spiritual danger, and he acts.

When you remain alert and sensitive, that is a sign of spiritual life. You know that God is with you, and you don’t want to lose that presence and that security.

Not responding to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit – getting tired of Jesus Christ and the Scriptures – feeling like the fight between good and evil is not worth it – giving up caring for God – or finding prayer tired – these are signs that all is not well, in the individual or in the nation.

As long as I have the Spirit of God, the desolate seasons are at least bearable, and you fight and spend your life with honor.

If the Spirit ever leaves, then all the reinforcement is gone, and David is aware of this. We need light to guide, we need God’s presence to give meaning, we need God’s hand to stabilize and control when storms rage.

No wonder David prayed, “Do not take your Holy Spirit from me.”

Matthew 25 verse 28 – In Jesus’ parable there is an alarming phrase – “Take away his talent” – from the man who would not use the gift.

David knew God, and yet that temptation was present, that attitude of rebellion, that secret rebellion, the sin that could cloud life.

The prophet Nathan came to pierce David, where David needed to pierce: “You are the man!” (II Samuel Chapters 11 and 12 for background).

In that startling instant, David realized his darkness, and he opened his heart.

Martin Luther in a similar spiritual battle prayed: “Punish us, O God, punish us, but do not keep silent!”

“Do not take your Holy Spirit from me!”

The very fact that David could pray like this proved that the Spirit was still there. It was precisely the Spirit of God within him that made him cry out.

Isn’t this what Paul is thinking of in Romans 8 verse 26 – “The Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings that cannot be uttered.”

David not only hit rock bottom while praying, but he touched the Rock of Ages and got up. When you touch the depths, you discover that below are the eternal arms. Deuteronomy 33 verse 27.

Job – Jonah – Elijah – Jeremiah – had their difficult moments – just like Peter and Paul – for them prayer was not a simplistic and superficial cry.

The secret is not your tenacity and resistance, but the constancy and fidelity of Christ.

David did not want to end up like Saul.

Psalm 51 verse 12 – David wanted to teach – so that the people would turn. He wanted to be freed from the guilt of that man’s blood; then I can lift my head again and play and sing and praise and adore.

It is interesting what happens when a person is guilty of sin.

Verses 15 – 16 – David knew he needed more than just to bring a large offering.

Sacrifices were always made for sin, and that is one of the reasons God did not delight in them.

The sacrifices that God seeks are – a broken spirit – a broken and contrite heart. That doesn’t mean being depressed and appearing so quiet and humble and artificially humble.

I conclude with the shepherd’s collie dog – at first he had a spirit of his own – but now he has been trained – and in training he has broken. His ego has been crushed. He has been trained to do the will of his master.

“Come – go – bring – stay” – just a wave of the Master’s hand – and the ears are up. The dog is alert. He does not growl or complain about orders, instructions and orders.

And, having done his work, he comes and sits at the master’s feet and looks at the master, knowing that he has pleased his master, because he has obeyed the master’s command.

Then, any offering will be a delight for the Father, because we have pleased the Father with our obedience, dedication and submission.

“Do not take your Holy Spirit from me!”

“Lord our God – hear us as we pray for our own nation – those in government and leadership positions – those who are bewildered as to what to do, and will not admit it – those whose new financial circumstances cause deep anxiety and Lord our God – have mercy – use the Church in these days to offer help to those who struggle and feel besieged.

Father, keep our faith strong, enable us to pray for each other, even though it’s been a few months since we spread the Word, the bread and the wine, this reminds us of those who are imprisoned for their faith in Jesus Christ, and whose ‘lockdown ‘ involves emotions we know little about – Hear our prayers – in the name of Jesus.

“Do not take your Holy Spirit from us!” Amen