Scripture:
Ephesians 4:21–24 “If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”
Psalms 51:10–11 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.”
Observation:
In Ephesians, the Apostle Paul is urging us to put away (get rid off/put to death) the things of our former lives so that we can be fully alive in Christ. When we put to death the flesh, we can then seek God’s righteousness and holiness. As He purifies us, He prepares us to receive His glory. Similarly, in Psalms 51, king David comes to a place of brokenness and to a place of truly understanding his dire need of God. What God wants is a broken heart and spirit and one that trembles at His Word. When we reflect this same posture, God can then bring His glory in a place of pleasure rather than a place of judgement (either way, He is right and just). It’s up to us to get right before Him.
Application:
As winter is coming to an end, spring is on the horizon. That means we take inventory and clean house: we put all things winter away, declutter the house and get rid of excess things that we no longer need. What worked in the previous season won’t work in the following. What we held onto in the previous season becomes baggage that slows us down in the next (Hebrews 12:1).
We get clean by coming to God, confessing our sins, repenting of the things we know of, and asking forgiveness over the areas that are hidden in our hearts, but are in plain sight before Him. As we spend time in prayer, His word, worship, silence, and solitude, God does only what He can do. He cleanses our hearts and souls. He renews us and gives us a steadfast (a right and constant) spirit, and one that fears God and loves Him. Let’s prepare our hearts, minds, and lives for His coming!
Prayer:
King of the Universe, thank you for making a way back to You through the completed work of Your Son, Jesus Christ. I repent of the areas in my life that are still at war with You. Help me to bend my knee, to humble myself, and to stay submitted and totally surrendered to You and to You alone. Cleanse me of the iniquity in my heart. Cleanse me thoroughly and purge the sins, transgressions, and iniquities from me through the blood of Jesus Christ. Renew me today and help me to put to death my flesh and to walk holy before You, so that I can be in a place to receive Your glory, in Jesus name. Amen.
Worship: