Devotionals

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Welcome Home

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

“Company’s coming. Quick, get the vacuum cleaner!” I yell to my husband who’s lounging in the recliner. Our friends just phoned to say they would arrive at our house in 30 minutes for a surprise visit. “30 minutes? That’s not enough time to get this house in order,” I worry.

Quickly I enlist the help of my husband and two children to make a mad dash at disguising our house as presentable. We pick up clutter that litters our den. We vacuum the carpet and sweep the tile floors. We speedily scrub the guest bathroom toilet and tidy the hand towels. We wipe the kitchen countertops down with disinfectant wipes and spritz air freshener. Amazingly, the tasks are completed just in time for our visitors to arrive. After fatiguing labor, my home is finally ready for our guests to be welcomed.

I wonder if the Holy Spirit ever feels the home of my heart is untidy? Do I work to keep my heart clean and pure for Him? After all, there are no surprise visits - as a believer, He is always there as an inhabitant. Unfortunately, sin finds a way to creep in my home and make a mess. If I’m not careful, things can get out of control very quickly, just like in my earthly house. I strive to diligently clean and tidy up daily so the mess doesn’t pile up and become overwhelming. The same is true for that intrusive sin in my life. In Psalm the Bible tells us, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” The key verse reminds me that I am called to repentance to foster a clean heart for the Holy Spirit. The beauty of repentance is that I really don’t have much work to do on my own. I don’t have to scramble around trying to pick up the messy sin that invades the home of my heart. God takes care of everything for me. I only need to sincerely ask for forgiveness and turn away from my sin. The sacrifice of Jesus acts like a cleaning service or maid to my heart. By the blood shed for me on the cross, my sins can be forgiven and my heart can be made sparkling fresh again.

God also promises to not only to give us a clean heart but to refresh us. He will revitalize His spirit within us. It’s like remodeling your house but only for your heart. He will give a fresh look and feel to the home of your heart.

Turning away from my sin is vital to a tidy heart home. After all, I wouldn’t walk on my den carpet, day after day, with muddy shoes on, leaving a path of dirt and filth with every step. I would get tired of continually having to scrub the stains off the carpet. It would be too exhausting to keep doing this continuously. I can promote easy heart cleaning by protecting it from sin suspected of wreaking havoc in my soul.

Resolve that you will not roll out the welcome mat for sin into the home of your heart. Be selective in the visitors you allow in your home. Pray that God will point out clutter that needs to be eliminated immediately and sincerely repent. Express your thankfulness and praise to the Lord for His sacrifice of Jesus, enabling us to have hearts that are once again pure and glorifying to Him.

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