CLEANIN' AND CREATIN'

Create in me a clean heart, O

God, and renew a right spirit

within me.

Psalm 51:10

This may sound odd, but there have been times I've almost felt sorry for God as I have seen Him having to work overtime on me. There's a neat chorus I don't know all the words to but the first line says it all where I'm concerned. The chorus begins “He's still workin' on me, to make me what I ought to be.” One would think at the age I am, that I would have this Christian walk of mine a little more down pat.

I have loved the above verse for many years. I think it was one of those rare Bible nuggets I came across when in my latter college days. The verse refers to two things God is more than capable of doing in my life....creating and renewing.

I recently said to our ladies class that the only Person who is creative is God Himself. We look at talented people as being creative...nope, can't happen. Creation means that something is made out of nothing. Only God could and can do that. In our verse we see God can bring into being a cleanliness in our heart no one else can bring. We can go to therapists, counselors and such that might be of help. Bottom line is the fact that only God can create a cleanliness in us no one or anything else can.

Creation may be God making something out of nothing but renewing is different. Renewing means that something of import is already in place but our spiritual subscription may be ebbing at best. I miss the days of old time revival services. Those were special meetings back in my child/teen years. It was a time of renewal, rededication. However, our going forward in a service didn't accomplish what we're talking about. Those times could be very self-gratifying, brought about for show or for feel-good moments. It's God Himself who wants to bring renewal into our lives.

Both words...create and renew...are words of refreshment. God wants to do both in you and me but it takes our recognizing personal need for more of Him and less of us. He won't force these things on us, but anxiously waits for us to want more of Him and less of self.

Father, clean us up with Your love, wisdom and power. Give us a hunger to be more like You than ever before. Thank You for not giving up on us. Thank You Jesus for Your shed blood that cleanses us from all sin. In Your name...Amen