A Deep Clean

Genesis 46-47 Matthew 15:1-28 Psalm 19 Proverbs 4:14-19

But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these defile you. – Matthew 15:18

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
   be pleasing in your sight,
   LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. – Psalm 19:14

The religious leaders were all about looking good. They were determined not to sin and had made a number of rules to keep them from sinning. Over time, they came to see these rules designed to help them focus on God had become as holy to them as God’s law. One of these rules was a ceremonial washing of the hands. Not like your mom always told you to do before dinner, giving them a good scrub with soap and water, mind you. This was a spiritual cleansing, a ceremonial dip.

God isn’t fooled by a good act. He knows our hearts. He sees everything we do and He knows what our motivations for doing them were. If it were left only to us and how good we are, we wouldn’t have a chance. But David reminds us that God forgives our errors and faults—even our willful sins. God wants to clean our hearts so that the stuff that comes out of our hearts and mouths will be pleasing to God.

Father God, we ask You to clean our hearts today. Not just a quick go over for show, but a deep cleaning that goes all the way to the core. We want our words and our actions to show Your love to those around us today. Amen.