Psalms 51:10-11

Psalms 51:10-11. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

These are the groanings of a true child of God. Never has a man, without the Spirit of God within him, prayed to God in this fashion. David, therefore, notwithstanding all his sin, still had the life of God within his soul, and when Nathan came to reprove him, the sacred fire began to burn again. Here are some of the sparks of it, and some of the smoke of it, too:

"Cast me not away from thy presence.

Dismiss me not thy service, Lord."

"Say not, I can no longer use you. You shall no longer stand in my courts, for you have disgraced my livery; get you gone from my presence.’ ‘Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.’"