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Create in Me A Clean Heart, O God

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

On my recent trip to Israel, one of the very poignant experiences was my baptism in the Jordan River. This was the third time I have been baptized. The first was as an infant. The second was in the old sanctuary (now Evangel) when I was born again and wanted to make a public declaration of what God had done for me. The third time was in the Jordan River. As I came up out of the water my prayer and deepest longing was that God would once again create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. I recall that phrase spinning through my mind as I walked to get changed.

All Christians, by placing saving faith in Him, have been spiritually immersed into the person of Christ, united and identified in Him. In baptism, Jesus’ death and burial become ours. We are united with Him in His resurrection. There is a new quality and character to our lives. I recall the fresh feeling as the water dripped away. I was once again reminded that through Christ I am recreated. That my old life with sin and my unredeemed humanness had been rendered powerless and regenerated into something new. This recalibration had set a new default which hungers for righteousness.

Prayer Focus: Lord, I pray today that I would apprehend the great truth that I am a new creature, that the old things are truly passed and that all things have become new. I, like David, ask not for a fixed heart but a new heart baptized in the Spirit and asking that the Spirit of God continue to work in my life and have His way with me. Today, once again I choose to be an instrument for righteousness and spiritual purity.

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