A Clean Heart

Create in me a clean heart, O God

                                                                    Psalm 51:10

I think about the way I often clean house.  I straighten the piles of books and magazines, make sure everything is neatly arranged, hang the coat someone tossed over the back of the couch.  So, usually my house looks neat and in order to a casual observer.  But upon closer inspection, it isn’t thoroughly clean.  I dusted the exposed areas, but what about under the couch or behind the chair?  What about the areas where no one looks?

            The way I clean house is the way I lived much of my life in the past.  I felt satisfied as long as things outwardly look good.  To a casual acquaintance my life would appear to be in good order when I talked about my volunteer work at a Christian organization, regular church attendance, and weekly Bible study.  But what about the areas of my life that no one could see?  What about my occasional boredom with those Bible studies?  What about my regular attendance at church just because people expected it of me?  What about the attitudes that were hidden from others?  I easily became complacent about my Christian life.  I knew my relationship with God lacked intimacy.  When I felt a twinge of spiritual dissatisfaction, I mentally listed all the things I have done for God, even sacrifices I have made.  But then what about these scriptures:

For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise (Psalm 51:16-17). 

Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom (Psalm 51:6).

Man looks at the outside, but God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

God wants to shine His light on those hidden areas of our lives.  Once He exposes sin, we can confess and He will forgive.  The Holy Spirit who lives in us can renew us and fill us with His living water. 

            I thank God that I am no longer satisfied with a life that outwardly appears in order to the casual observer, or even to my closest friends.  I long for an intimate relationship with God, cleansed in my innermost being so nothing stands in the way.  I long for a clean heart pleasing to God.  I pray with King David, Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Find a time and place where you can be alone and undisturbed to spend time with God. Ask Him to reveal any obvious sins of action or attitude that need to be dealt with. 

What about the sin you know about, but no one else sees?  There may be sin you are not even aware of.  Ask God to reveal anything that needs to be exposed so you can confess it and be cleansed.

May our motivation be unbroken fellowship with our Father, a clean heart filled with His Spirit, loving Him and loving others and desiring to please Him above all else.