Truth in the Innermost being

By: Carole L. Haines 

I found five Scriptures when I looked up the phrase, “Innermost being” in the Scriptures. The original verse I was looking to reflect on is: 

“Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, 
And in secret You will make wisdom known to me.”  (Psalm 51:6) 

I will write a reflection on one of these Scriptures each day this week, let’s begin with this one. Not every Psalm has a description, but this one does, so we get the backstory as to what inspired the writer of Psalm 51. 

“A Contrite Sinner’s Prayer for Pardon. 

For the music director. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.” 

The Psalm was written by David, and it’s his confession to God after being confronted with his sin against Uriah and his wife, Bathsheba. This is a true crime drama so shocking, it’s hard to believe David got away with it. Please read 2 Samuel 11-12, for the entire story. 

This story is filled with lust, adultery, scheming, abuse of power, manipulation, and ultimately, murder. Many people suffered because of David’s choices. Let’s list them:  

1. Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba (David forced her to have relations with him) 

2. Uriah, the faithful soldier 

3. Joab, who was commanded to have Uriah killed in Battle 

4. The other innocent soldiers who died in David’s effort to make Uriah’s death look like a legitimate battle fatality. 

5. The child in Bathsheba’s womb died sometime after birth as a direct result of David’s sin. (2 Samuel 12:14-20) 

6.  David himself suffered greatly as we can see in the confession of Psalm 51.  

Sin wears a deceptively beautiful mask. It promises much buts takes all instead. Sin leaves us stripped of our dignity, filled with guilt and shame, and causes great harm to ourselves and our loved ones. Sin’s ripple effect often goes beyond what we can see in our circle of existence. Just think of the soldiers who died as a result of David trying to cover up the result of his sin with Bathsheba. Think of the innocent child who died. Truly Jesus was right when He declared  
 ^“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) 

Jesus paid the price for us to be freed from our hideous sins. He desires us to have life and have it abundantly. But this requires truth in the Innermost being. It requires inviting the Holy Spirit to examine us with His loving convictions as we respond with repentance, confession and godly sorrow. 

“Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, 
And in secret You will make wisdom known to me.”  (Psalm 51:6) 

Lord, in Your love, reveal all that is inside of us that is not of You and transform us with Your mighty love and power. May Your revelation and our confession, make us know wisdom and follow it from our transformed Innermost Being.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen