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Cleansing
Message #16 (of 20) from the PrayerPower radio series "Confession"
In Psalm 51 David cries out to the Lord, "Oh, wash me, cleanse me from this guilt. Let me be pure again. ...Sprinkle me with the cleansing blood and I shall be clean again. Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. ...Create in me a new clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires." [Ps. 51:2, 7, 10, TLB] David was absolutely forgiven of his sins when he confessed them, as is any child of God. Yet, the guilt remained. David cried out for God to cleanse him of this guilt, referring to the washing God’s people went through when they touched something unclean, and the sprinkling with the blood of sacrificial animals to cleanse them from sin, even as Christ’s blood cleanses us. Washing and cleansing symbolize the acquittal of our sins, and freedom from guilt, but they do not indicate a permanent change of heart. David recognized that acquittal and freedom from guilt weren’t complete without a changed heart, so he asked for "a new, clean heart" filled with "clean thoughts and right desires." He went on to pray, "make me willing to obey you." [Ps. 51:13, TLB] David recognized that confession was only the first step in the process of repentance, which is not just being forgiven but calls for a heart that desires to turn away from sin. Jesus wants no less for us. When we ask forgiveness and cleansing in our prayers, He will create in us a clean heart filled with right desires. And through His Holy Spirit, He will give us the strength we need. If we ask.
Pray with me now -- Lord, help us to want more than freedom from guilt when we confess our sins. Give us the desire for clean hearts that will change our ways. Amen.
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