Sparkling Clean Within

Memory Verse:

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:10-12

I'm prickly--like a Prickly Pear Cactus.
Found in Utah's Canyonlands National Park.
Lord, create in me a clean heart.

This scripture passage was written by David after Nathan the prophet had confronted him about his adultery with Bathsheba. Consider the verses in context.

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. For I was born a sinner--yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me--now let me rejoice. Don't keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you. Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness. Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you. Psalm 51:1-15

To be holy, like God commanded through Peter and is recorded in 1 Peter, begins with a repentant heart…one that desires to be clean. That is what God wants—an honest and pure heart. David wanted that. He recognized that he was a sinner—born that way—and repented. He was seeking holiness.

But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, "You must be holy because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16

Do you have a repentant heart?  Are you seeking holiness? I am—although I know that it is only through Christ, through the Holy Spirit, that I can be purified.

Prayer ~ Lord God, Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:10-12. I want to follow You, listen to You, obey your commands, and tell others about power and glory. Great are You Lord, and greatly to be praised….Psalm 48:1. May all my thoughts be pleasing to You, for I rejoice in You LORD. Psalm 104:34

Daily Bible Reading: Hosea 1-7

© 2019 Text and photo by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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