Wednesday Morning Meditation – Psalms

The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters. Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face. Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. (Psalm 24 – A Psalm of David)

Clean Hands Saves Lives

At the height of flu season there is increased concern for spreading germs leading to signs all over the hospital exhorting the need for keeping hands clean. Anti-bacterial stations are around every corner. Gloves and mask are worn to limit contact. Understanding the topography of how germs are transmitted has reduced the cases of sickness and death. As I stared at the sign I could not help but think that while germ free hands can save lives, clean hands will save souls. The passage from Psalm 24 came to mind as to who can ascend to the presence of the Almighty.

Allow me the analogy of David’s psalm. Germs are microscopic organism that can bring destruction and sometimes death. Sin is like that. It is not a big elephant with a neon sign hanging from both sides blaring his horn announcing its arrival. Sin is subtle, quiet, and often microscopic. The conclusion David draws of worship to God is a life that is cleansed of the impurities of Satan. Growing up we were never allowed to come to table with dirty hands (or faces). The phrase “cleanliness is next to godliness” is not in the Bible but the ideal of it is. Clean hands are required to approach the Lord.

The only way we can have clean hands is to have a clean heart. Our lives are filled with the washing of God’s word in our minds and hearts to have clean hands. I am reminded of the story of the one complaining about how difficult it was to read the Bible and retain very much. We all struggle with this problem. The answer given was likened to a bucket with holes in it and as we study the Bible it seems to drain out. This can be a frustration because we would like to pour the word of God in our lives and lose nothing. However the advice given was that while it may be difficult to retain as much as we like (as a bucket riddled with holes) at least we have a clean bucket. Clean hands come from clean hearts washed in the word of God.

Spend a little extra time today in the word of God. Wash your spiritual hands a little bit more today. Then when we lift up hands to our Father He will notice how clean they are and invite us to dine with Him at the table of His grace.

Daily hand washing at the basin of God’s Word will prevent us from spreading the deadly germs of sin. (Selected)