Tuesday March 23, 2021
The phrase: “cleanliness is next to godliness” is prevalent in the Jamaican culture. As women, we can appreciate a clean house, clean laundry, and even the clean feeling we experience after taking a bath or a shower. Clean does look and feel good, doesn’t it? What about a clean heart? Is that an important part of our cleaning regimen?
The subject of cleanliness is addressed throughout the Bible and is an important matter to which thought needs to be given, and action taken. In directing Moses to teach the Nation of Israel about what He required, the Most High God was careful to mention how the people of Israel were to make themselves clean. In the book of Leviticus, one can find many lessons about being cleanliness. Words such as consecrated, wash, holy, atone, anointed, spotless, unblemished are prevalent throughout the third book of the Pentateuch, (the first five books of the Bible).
For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. And you shall not make yourselves unclean…
Leviticus 11:44
There is no denying that cleanliness is important to our God and King. He makes all provisions to ensure that we can are as He is – “clean”. To make us physically clean, there is water; the blood of Christ suffices for the cleaning of the heart and mind, and the Word of God for the spirit. The Psalmist and King of Israel, David knows a great deal about cleanliness; we know his famous prayer in Psalm 51:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
In Psalm 24, the beloved King David beautifully summarizes the sovereignty of God, and speaks of how we, as His creation ought to relate to Him. In reference to being able to be accepted in the presence of God, David writes:
Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart.
Proverbs 24:3
We can’t help but acknowledge that a God who is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent is also omnibenevolent. His magnificence does not make Him unreachable; He avails Himself to us, His children and is careful to teach us how we can have all that He promises by being clean.
In the past, Israel’s path to cleanliness was through the blood of animals. If that was our reality in today’s world, that would be quite expensive; many persons would not receive the forgiveness that the blood of animals offer.
In His great love for the world, God gave His only begotten Son, so that all who believe will have life eternal (St. Johns 3:16). Cleanliness become available to all who will accept the Living Water, the Cleansing Blood of the Lamb. Through the life and teachings of Jesus, we learn how to be clean, and remain clean through the Word of God which gives us all that we need to be Divinely Clean.
You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
St. John 15:3
Being Divinely Clean involves taking action and enjoying the benefits of embracing holiness:
- Understanding the nature and character of God- He is holy, righteous; there is no wickedness in Him.
- Depending on the Holy Spirit to reveal the areas of your life that needs to be cleanse
- Reading the Word of God to learn the laws and principles of righteousness.
- Accept Jesus as the Sacrificial Lamb who bore all your iniquity, abide in Him and bear Good Fruit.
- Enjoying peace of mind; free from guilt, shame and regret.
- Having affirmative answers to prayers made in faith and obedience to God.
- Fulfillment of promises in keeping with God’s plans for your life.
- Fulfillment of purpose in accordance with Divine Design.
- Shielded from the devil’s accusation of you.
Being deemed to have clean hands and a pure heart is not a one time experience; it is a process that God Himself, by the power of His Holy Spirit will guide you through. This is the process of being Divinely Clean; all that needs to be cleansed in your life is God’s work to perform. Your cooperation will get you in the state of cleanliness that is acceptable to God as He is able to do His work Himself.
Your responsibility is only to avail your hands and heart to the KING and He will make something beautiful out of your life.
GOD BLESS YOU…
CONSIDER
- Can I identify the areas in my life that need God’s cleansing power?
- Am I prepared to address the areas in my life that requires transformation?
- How will I celebrate my progress?
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Only You are holy and righteous; You alone are God. I am blessed to be the Daughter of a KING who holds me in high esteem and wants me to be my best. Being clean is Who You are, and it is Who I want to be too; please help me to surrender myself to you so that I can be made clean by Your Holy Spirit.
My efforts to cleanse myself for all that corrupts and contaminates will utter fail if I do not have Your guidance. Please open my eyes to see myself as I am, and open my heart to be wiling to change the areas of my life that does not serve me well, nor please You.
I want to be Divinely Clean so that the devil has no hold on me. I want to be blameless in Your sight so that all Your plans for me can be duly fulfilled and my life can bring You glory and honour.
Thank You for the cleansing blood of Your Son Jesus that cleanses me from all unrighteousness. May I read Your Word daily so that my heart is always in tuned with You. Bless me today and always for your Name’s sake.
In Jesus’s Name I pray – Amen