Clean Hands and Pure Heart (Psalm 24) 200208
The Lord has been good to me. By this, it does not mean that I am not struggling with temptations, sins, trials and difficult situations. There are times when I just feel like giving all up. There are times when I just feel so defeated. And there are times when I am just so down cast. Nonetheless, God is good. He is in control. He is greater than my pains and my hurts. He is greater than my problems and struggles. He is the One who owns the earth and all that it contains and all that who dwell in it (v1). Praise be to God.
I have been monitoring the blood pressure and pulse rate of my father, this is a way to look out for sign whether if his heart condition is stable. I also have to keep away his van’s key just to ensure that he will not drive, as he is not fit to drive. And he is very angry with me. I can sense his frustration and sadness. I can sense that he is really feeling helpless and bored. At the same time, he is fearful and worried about the surgery that he might have to go through. I can fully comprehend as he is sick and really not used to this new lifestyle of almost practically doing nothing. My heart pains too. I am hurt too. I regret that I do not have an excellent relationship with my father in the past. I know he is rather bias in his treatment towards me and my other two sisters. I do not blame him for that, as this the way traditional man think because of some unfortunate events happened way in the past. And I also have to confess that I have not been spending much time with him all these years. But I know he still loves me.
As I reflect, I know that this is one of the biggest hindrance for me to fully enjoy the presence of God the Father. I really have difficulty to totally, without any reserve, in embracing the unconditional love of my Heavenly Father. I struggle with this. I can get to a certain point of intimacy with God, but I know that I cannot get deeper with God the Father, unless I can accept the fullness of the grace that my Heavenly Father is pouring over me. I cannot ascend all the way up to the hill of th e Lord and stand in His holy place in His holy presence (v3). I need clean hands and pure heart to do so (v4).
I need a pair of clean hands to serve my father. I need a pair of clean hands to take the blood pressure and pulse rate of my father. I need a pair of clean hands to prepare my father’s medication. I need a pair of clean hands to embrace my father when he is upset and depressed. I need a pair of clean hands to wash away all the dirts of misunderstanding between us. I need a pair of clean hands to bring in the love of God to bond us together. I need a pair of clean hands.
I need a pure heart to care for my father who is sick. I need a pure heart to listen to my father with patience. I need a pure heart to observe my father’s needs. I need a pure heart to pray for the salvation and healing of my father. I need a pure heart to think of the love of my father. I need a pure heart to enjoy the company of my father. I need a pure heart to meaningfully converse with my father. I need a pure heart to melt away the coldness of unforgiveness between us. I need a pure heart to bring about the warmth of father and son bonding between us. I need a pure heart to accept the love of my father and love my father unconditionally according to the grace and love of our Heavenly Father. I need a pure heart.
I need a pair of clean hands and a pure hearts. I pray that God will give me these which I need. I really long to go deeper and more intimate with God. I really want to see the King of Glory entering into my live as He enters through the ancient doors (v7,9). I want to know the King of Glory who is strong and mighty (v8), and also the Lord of the heavenly hosts (v10) in full. I know that I can only do so when my hands are clean and my heart is pure.
Give me clean hands and pure heart. Are you asking for clean hands and pure hearts too?
HHS…
Abel…
