CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, O GOD.

 

DECEMBER 5

PSALM 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God;

and renew a right spirit within me. 

 
Such a prayer implies a conviction of sin, a sense of pollution, a desire for holiness, a knowledge of weakness, grief for inconsistency, and the possession of true wisdom.
 
It is the prayer of every Christian; let it be our prayer this day; let us lift up our hearts and voices to our God, and cry, “Remove guilt and pollution, produce purity and peace in our hearts. Cleanse us by Thy Word, the blood of Jesus, and the influence of the Holy Spirit.”
 
Purity of heart can only be produced by God; it enters into the very essence of religion; we cannot be godly except we are holy.
 
If we love sin, if we can indulge in sin, or if a sense of having sinned does not pain us, and cause us to adopt this prayer, our religion is spurious, we are destitute of the power of godliness.
 
No real Christian can live in sin.
 
He is called to holiness.
 
He is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
 
Holiness is his element and health.
 
His God says, “Be holy, for I am holy:” and he cries, “Create in me a clean heart, O God.”
 
Let us be holy in all manner of conversation, looking for and hasting to the coming of the Lord Jesus.
 

Supreme High Priest, the pilgrim’s light,

My heart for Thee prepared;

Thine image stamp, and deeply write

Thy superscription there:

Ah, let my forehead bear Thy seal,

My heart the inward witness feel.

 
James Smith