Scripture: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10
Examination of chapter: This psalm of David was written after his sin with Bathsheba. He is asking God to forgive him, cleanse him from his sin,and restore to him the joy of God’s salvation.
Application: Spring cleaning is that time of year when many of us “deep” clean our homes. We get rid of the clutter and unimportant things we’ve managed to collect throughout the previous 12 months or so. I don’t know about you, but I am so resistant to doing this! I struggle to toss out things that I “might need”, but I need to remind myself of a couple of things. First, if I haven’t used it in a year, there’s a good chance, I don’t need it. Second, if I didn’t even remember I had it, I really don’t need to keep it.
That’s the same way it is with our spiritual life. Holding on to things we don’t need can be a huge obstacle to the growth of our faith and our service to the Lord. Here are a few things I need to toss out as I conduct my spiritual spring cleaning.
1. Sins of the past: “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.” – Isaiah 43:18
- When we hold on to “how bad we used to be”, it perpetuates the shame and guilt that Jesus paid for on the cross. His sacrifice took care of it all, and frankly, if God tells us that He “remembers them no more”, why should we cling to our wretched past? We are told to look forward to our new life in Christ, not backward to our old life of sin. Toss out those past sins!
2. Hurt feelings: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:32
- Holding on to hurt feelings definitely inhibits our service for Christ, and eventually becomes a bitter wall that is difficult to tear down. In reality, my friends and family do not intentionally try to hurt my feelings, and I need to remember that. I need to be a “grace dispenser”, after all, I am sure I have said or done things that unintentionally hurt another person, and I would hope they would give me a little grace as well. Of course, when I am aware that I have hurt someone’s feelings, a speedy apology heals both me and the one to whom I’ve caused grief. Toss out those hurt feelings!
3. Lackadaisical prayer life: “Pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
- God loves for us to communicate with Him. Not only does He love it, He made a way for us to have access to Him 24/7. When Jesus died on the cross, the temple veil was rent in two from top to bottom. This showed two important things: 1) The Lord Himself did the tearing down of the barrier between God and man, and 2) The holiest of places, the throne room of God was symbolically made available to all whose faith and trust has been place in Jesus. No matter if I am praising and worshiping Him or asking Him for guidance or interceding for someone else… God wants to hear from me always! Toss out that lazy attitude about prayer!
4. Dusty Bible – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 3:15
- I remember hearing a story about a family that heard a preacher was coming to visit, so they found their family Bible, dusted it off, and set it on the living room table in full view for the visit. I should always be sure my Bible never needs dusting! It is so important to make time to read and study the Word of God. It’s our manual for godly living. Without it, it becomes difficult for our faith to grow. Romans 10:17 states, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” My desire is to become closer to God and live as best I can according to His principles outlined in Scripture. To do this, I must be in the Bible on a regular basis, not just when I’m in church. I need my private time with God, so He can speak to me through His Word. Toss out the Bible feather duster!
These are just a few things on my spiritual spring cleaning list. I know there are more, so I’ll need to listen to my helper, the Holy Spirit, to be sure I get rid of all the “stuff” that I don’t need. What about you? Are you ready to start cleaning?
Memory Verse: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – Romans 12:2
Stretching your thoughts:
1. What will you toss out in your spiritual spring cleaning this year?
2. What is it that you’ve held on to through the years, but in reality, it should be tossed?
Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
abide in Him always, and feed on His word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
spend much time in secret with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
Take time to be holy, let Him be thy guide,
and run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
and, looking to Jesus, still trust in His word.
Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.
(from “Take Time to Be Holy” by William Longstaff)