Journey to Jerusalem Day 35

Tuesday, March 23 Psalm 51:7-13
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.

What exactly is a clean heart? When we clean something, we remove the dirt and filth. We might tidy up a mess and say that we have cleaned up.
When God cleans, I think he does more than just tidy up or remove the dirt and filth. He leaves us better than we were before.

God removes our dirt and filth: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies (Galatians 5:19-21), anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk (Colossians 3:8), evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness (Mark 7:21-22).

He removes those things from us and then fills us with compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience (Colossians 3:12), love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). We are much better than before.

Ponder the list of dirt and filth above. Which of those is the Holy Spirit calling you to turn away from? Confess your sin to the Lord and let him create a clean heart within you. Remember, nothing is too hard for the Lord. Nothing.

Now contemplate the good things that God intends for us. Pray to God to grow these attributes in you. Open yourself to be molded by our Perfect Creator. Allow him to renew a right spirit within you.

And as God creates in you a new heart, share your joy in the Lord with others, share how he has worked in your life that others may return to the Lord and be restored, just as you have been.

Faithful Father, use this Lenten season to create in me a clean heart, one that radiates your love and abides in your presence. Restore to me the joy of your salvation.
Amen.