Wash me thoroughly from my wrongdoing
And cleanse me from my sin.
Create in me a clean heart, God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
—Psalm 51:2, 10, NASB

Reflection:
David cried, Lord, create in me a clean heart. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me. Beloved, God cleanses us when we are willing to allow Him to cleanse us. In other words, we have to cooperate with God’s sanctifying process. We have to become aware of what we are thinking and saying and be in a constant state of self-examination.

We must choose whether we are going to let God shine His spotlight upon our lives. Many people run from the conviction of the Holy Spirit, but the Bible says, “The kindness of God leads you to repentance” (Romans 2:4). The conviction of the Holy Spirit is God’s kindness. It causes us to become aware of our sins so we can look to Him and say: wash me, cleanse me, and give me a clean heart.

There are things the Spirit reveals when we allow Him to search us. I see that there is fear and evil in my heart. I see selfish ambition in my heart. I see pride in my heart. I see jealousy in my heart. O God, I know it is wrong. Forgive me. Wash me. Cleanse me. This is a prayer that, when prayed from the heart, will be answered.

It is so critical that we choose to be washed, to be regenerated, to be renewed. To David this was of the essence. David cried, “Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom” (Psalm 51:6). David wanted God so desperately that he placed himself in a position to be examined by the Holy Spirit. He wanted the Lord to search him and find any impure way within him. And if anything was found, his prayer was, Lord, forgive me and put Your truth and wisdom in me.

When we put ourselves in this posture, our Creator is faithful to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When we choose to let the Spirit of God in, we will be changed and transformed from the inside out. As we are, we will be taken into deeper depths in Yeshua, and as a result, be filled with strength and joy.

After David asked God to cleanse him, he said, “Make me to hear joy and gladness, let the bones which You have broken rejoice” (Psalm 51:8). As we hunger for God, as we cooperate with Him and ask Him to cleanse us, as we willingly repent, joy breaks forth in us. Yeshua’s goodness is released from our innermost being. Messiah Yeshua said that from the innermost being of the one who believes in Him will flow rivers of living water. Beloved, everything we pray about is important, but the most important things are the deep issues of the heart. These are the prayer requests that get God’s attention.

Application:

• Let God shine His spotlight upon your life, asking Him to reveal what is in your thoughts, words, and heart.
• Choose to be washed, regenerated, and renewed by cooperating with the Holy Spirit’s conviction.

Prayer:
Father, create in me a clean heart. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me. I choose not to run from the conviction of the Holy Spirit, because Your kindness leads me to repentance. Search me and find any impure way within me. Put Your truth and wisdom in my innermost being. Take me into deeper depths in Yeshua, and let joy and gladness break forth from within me.