Psalm 51:7-12
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” vs. 10
There may be some of us who are naturally blessed with pure and holy hearts, but evidence indicates that the numbers are few. Most of us struggle daily with contrary and even ugly thoughts and desires that rise up out of nowhere to plague our serenity and sense of peace. Sometimes all it takes is a glance at a Facebook post or an unsolicited email…one look and our blood begins to boil. Angry responses come unbidden and we have to bite our tongues to keep from losing friends. At other times we find ourselves laughing at raunchy and racist jokes, winking at behaviors we know to be contrary to the Way of Jesus. It’s no wonder that this little verse from the psalmist has found a home in our liturgy. “Create in me a clean heart,” we sing…and we mean it! None of us enjoy living with impurity…and we’re embarrassed by the state of our inner selves. The good news is that God hears our prayers and does restore a right spirit within us. It happens regularly as we confess our sins and receive the assurance of forgiveness through the Word and the Holy Meal. The liturgy is more than communal recitation of ancient truths…it’s a power source that brings the purity of heart that all of us crave.
Thought for the Day: What does a pure heart feel like?
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