Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – November 4, 2015
Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior. Psalm 24:3-5
Sincere worshippers of God long to be close to Christ. This is our eternal end game. This is the outcome we crave. It is closeness to Christ that places us in proximity for Him to wipe away our tears. It is closeness to Christ that reveals our sin and leads us to repentance. It is closeness to Christ that instills the best perspective. It is closeness to Christ that calms our heart and engages our mind. The holy hill of the Lord is ascended by steps of repentance. Purity brings us closer to Jesus.
Closeness comes from cleanliness. We came from the dirt. We started out unclean. Dirt in our heart throws dust in our eyes. We struggle to see God when we have not cleansed our heart. The pure in heart see God. But the impure of heart are like blind bats fluttering around in futility. We are from the dirt in the valley and He is high atop His holy mountain. The snow capped mountain of God is pure and clean. We ask the Holy Spirit to clean us so we can ascend.
“Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8).
So we approach the holy hill of the Lord with clean hands and a pure heart. It is an outward and inward purification that we pursue. Our behavior and our beliefs both need sanitizing. Closeness to Christ comes when we align both our actions and our attitudes. We would not expect a server to bring our meal with soiled hands. Nor are we to serve our Lord with the dirt of denial under our fingernails.
God trusts those whom He holds close. He trusts them because they are nearby to hear His instruction and obey His command. They are hungry for His heart and thirsty for His trust. Closeness continually communes. It is not like the adult child who only comes home when they need something. There is intentionality in intimacy. God blesses those who are close by. Stay cleansed and close to Christ!
“The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, create in me a clean heart so I can share Your heart with others.
Application: How is the Spirit purging my heart toward purity? What does it mean to have a good conscience?
Related Readings: Psalm 51:10; Proverbs 22:11; 2 Timothy 2:22; Hebrews 10:22
Post/Tweet this today: Faith is hungry for God’s heart and thirsty for His love. #WisdomHunters #closetoChrist
Worship Resource: 6 minute video- Bethel: Sweet Praise
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