Clean!

Clean!

Psalm 51:10 AMPC

[10] Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.

What was the background to this verse? It was David who abused his position as king to commit adultery with another man's wife, and then take the irreversible step of killing the husband, to cover up what he had done. All that David did would have been done in the secret, with the stamp of the king's approval too, but as far as God was concerned, this was grevious evil that warranted punishment, and God applied the punishment in line with His command, but He also made room for the sinner here to return. This is the default position of God: all have sinned, and all who do not come to Him for help will continue to sin, but if I take the step and come to Him for help with sin, He will cleanse me from all my sin and give me a brand-new life. There is one who can claim any other position: we were all born into sin, and are all the objects of God's mercy. 

David sinned, but he was also given grace to recognise his sin and to ask God for mercy. Like David, the options are also open for us today. God wants me to come to Him, no matter how bad I may think I am. The reason why the blood is powerful is because there is no stain so deep that it cannot cleanse. The blood of Jesus cleanses from ALL sin, and what God does is to impute to us His Son's righteousness. When we come to God and take up His offer, we take on a new identity, and become new creatures. This is the expectation of God for all His creation, but as we know, God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. Be sure that He will display His might and power in the lives of all who come to Him. That is what David did, and that is what He expects me to do. How would you respond? 

The verse above is David's request, and must be ours too. The work of cleansing under the old covenant had to be done daily, but we now have the permanent work of salvation and redemption that Jesus has sealed for us. All who come to Jesus receive a new heart, on which God is able to write His laws, and one in which He can do His work. A heart that is not under His control cannot pray this prayer. He wants to work in and through my heart, but I must let Him. The devil wants to remind me of my past regularly, but if my heart is in God's hands, those reminders will not stick. Reflect also on the eternal dimensions of what Jesus has done: by His work in me, He has sealed eternal life for me. My new and clean heart is the platform for the new life that He promises, both here on earth, and in eternity. Please do not let the work of God be wasted in your life. He waits for you. God's time of favour is here.