Give Me A Clean Heart
Create in me a clean heart,
O God. And renew a steadfast spirit in me.
Psalm 51: 10
"Give
Me a Clean Heart." These are words I, along with countless others, have prayed, meditated on, stated loudly,
and uttered softly for many years. But one day as I prayed these words, there was a stirring in my spirit that caused
me to pause. Afterward, I was led to look deeper into why this proverbial petition was first prayed by King
David, then by countless others for centuries.
Most of us know the history-making story of
King David and Bathsheba. David’s lust for Bathsheba led to an adulterous affair between them, and her pregnancy. Subsequently,
in an attempt to cover up his sin, David endeavors to get Bathsheba’s husband Uriah, a very loyal soldier to
David, home from war to be with her. When his attempts fail, he then orders that Uriah be positioned
on the frontline in the “fiercest” battle, then purposely left alone to intentionally have him murdered.
After Bathsheba’s time of mourning for her husband’s death passes (seven days),
David brings her to his house, takes her as his wife, and she then gives birth to their son. But the Bible says “the
thing David had done displeased the LORD.” II Samuel
11: 27
The LORD sends the Prophet Nathan to rebuke David. He shares a story in the manner
of a parable with David, about a rich man who has a very large number of sheep, and a poor man who has nothing except one
little ewe (female) lamb. He tells how the rich man who has everything, for his own selfish use, takes and kills the lamb,
the only possession the poor man had. David thinks the story is factual, and the Bible says that
David burned with anger against the man and declares, “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves
to die!” But of course, in reality, the story is about the sin David has committed, so Nathan says to
David “You are the man!” Nathan then begins to declare the Word of the LORD to David. David’s eyes
are opened and he then confesses, “I have sinned against the LORD.” II Samuel 12:13
Thereafter, David’s sinful actions of covetousness, adultery, and murder brings
calamity upon him, but David understands that it is, in fact, his own “heart,” that had enabled him to carry out
such evil deeds.
“The
heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? - I the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind,
even to give everyman according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17: 9-10
One month, or even one day before David committed adultery with Bathsheba, I’m pretty certain no one could have
convinced him that in a matter of hours he would take another man’s wife, impregnate her, and later have her husband
killed, then go on to marry her. But David’s heart was unguarded, and sin had entered in.
David chewed on it, (his fleshly desire/sin), “swallowed” it and the rest is a historical tragedy.
Proverbs 4:23 tells us to Keep or guard our hearts with all diligence; for
out of it are the issues of life.
“Issue”: an outgoing; outflow- a result or consequence- A sending or giving out…offspring
Yeshua says in Mark 7:21, “For from within, out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.”
Every single issue of which we willfully initiate, partake in, or cause - good or evil, infiltrates
our hearts first. It enters, we then contemplate it for a moment or for a substantial amount of time. But it is not
possible for us to carry it out if our “heart” or our “will” does not accept it or settle with it
first.
“These
six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,
-A heart that devises wicked plans” Proverbs 6:16-18a
“He who trusts
in his own heart is a fool, -But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.” Proverbs 28:26
It’s apparent that our own hearts cannot be trusted. We
would find ourselves missing the mark more often than not if we trust in our own heart or believe that we are always thinking
rightly. See, within us are hidden faults:
“Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.
Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins….Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord…”Psalm
19” 12, 13a, 14
“Search me oh God, and know my heart; Try
me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139: 23-24
Clearly by the Spirit of God, David had an understanding of a man’s heart and the need of the
Lord’s purification, so David prayed accordingly:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast (unwavering) spirit within
me. Do not cast me away from your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51: 10-11
“The sacrifices of God
are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.” Psalm 51:17
Sin within our hearts blinds us, jeopardizes the joy of our salvation, and weakens our relationship with
the Father.
“But the Lord said to Samuel…..For the Lord does not see as man sees; for
man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks
at the heart.” I Samuel 16: 7b
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has
Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for
yourself? –While it remained, was it not your own? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart?
You have not lied to men but to God.” Acts 5:3-4
“You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight
of God. –Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven
you. –For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness
and bound by iniquity.” Acts 8:21-23 (Read Chapter 8)
David was an Anointed man of God. But we know that all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of
God. However, we can rejoice because the Lord has given those who are Born Again His Spirit. We have been instructed
to walk in the Spirit and not after the Flesh. The works of the Flesh come out of the heart.” But when we
fall short, when our hearts are not right, or we’re not thinking on the things that are pure, we can confess our sin
and know that through Yeshua, our Lord, our Redeemer, and our Purification, that our hearts are cleansed.
It is no wonder that many have prayed as David prayed. Those who
desire to love God with all of their hearts, and those who desire an intimate relationship with our Beautiful Father through
Yeshua, our Savior, would meditate on these words. I believe those who long for God, who have a need to see
God, and the yearning to rest in His Abiding Presence with the complete Joy of the Lord’s Salvation, pray this
prayer. For it is a clean heart, a pure heart, that is, absolutely, necessary
for a sweet communion between us and our Holy Father.
“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 …” Psalm 24: 3-5
“Blessed
are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” --Yeshua… Matthew 5:8