A Clean Heart
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
"Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart"--the human heart, with its conflicting emotions of joy and sorrow; the wandering, wayward heart, which is the abode of so much impurity and deceit (1 Samuel 16:7). He knows its motives, its very intents and purposes. Go to Him with your soul all stained as it is. Like the Psalmist, throw its chambers open to the all-seeing eye, exclaiming, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23, 24).
Many accept an intellectual religion, a form of godliness, when the heart is not cleansed. Let it be your prayer, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10). Deal truly with your own soul. Be as earnest, as persistent, as you would be if your mortal life were at stake. This is a matter to be settled between God and your own soul, settled for eternity. A supposed hope, and nothing more, will prove your ruin. (Steps to Christ, 34)
Reflection: As you see the enormity of sin, as you see yourself clearly, do not give in to despair. Christ wants us to realize our sin so that we may call on Him. It was sinners He came to save.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
"Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart"--the human heart, with its conflicting emotions of joy and sorrow; the wandering, wayward heart, which is the abode of so much impurity and deceit (1 Samuel 16:7). He knows its motives, its very intents and purposes. Go to Him with your soul all stained as it is. Like the Psalmist, throw its chambers open to the all-seeing eye, exclaiming, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23, 24).
Many accept an intellectual religion, a form of godliness, when the heart is not cleansed. Let it be your prayer, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10). Deal truly with your own soul. Be as earnest, as persistent, as you would be if your mortal life were at stake. This is a matter to be settled between God and your own soul, settled for eternity. A supposed hope, and nothing more, will prove your ruin. (Steps to Christ, 34)
Reflection: As you see the enormity of sin, as you see yourself clearly, do not give in to despair. Christ wants us to realize our sin so that we may call on Him. It was sinners He came to save.
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