Greetings to all in the Name that is above every name!
Quick thought for today comes from David's famous prayer of recorded in Psalm 51. Verse 10 says, Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. And verse 7, Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Hyssop is an aromatic, semi-woody plant native from the Mediterranean east to central Asia, historically used for purification and healing. In the Bible, it was used by the Israelites on Passover night to apply the blood of the Lamb to the doorposts (Exodus 12). It was used by the priests in the ceremonial purification of the leper (Leviticus 14). It was used by the Romans to hoist a vinegar-filled sponge up to Jesus Christ when he was crucified (John 19:29).
David here expresses a desire for God to use whatever it takes to purify and cleanse his heart. If you take the time to read the entire Psalm, you will find David understood that the sin of his heart prevented him (1) from enjoying fellowship with God and (2) from accomplishing any service to Him.
And that's our purpose here. God created us to have fellowship with Him and to bring Him pleasure. A life disconnected from its purpose is one that will never satisfy. And in order to live our lives according to God's purpose, we'll have to let Him cleanse our hearts.
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. (Psalm 24:3-4)
If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:21-22)
May God find in our hearts a desire to be clean, a desire to be pure, a desire to be set apart for His service!
No comments:
Post a Comment