“Son,” said Fred’s mother, “dinner is ready and you haven’t washed your hands. They are dirty!”

“They’re not dirty,” he protested, “just a little bit soiled.”

According to Psalm 24, there’s no difference between dirty and soiled. Only those who have clean hands and a pure heart are invited to worship God. So, what does the Psalmist mean when he talks about “clean hands?”

“Clean hands” literally means “clean habits.” Habits are formed over time and are rarely noticed until they draw attention to themselves in one way or another. A habit may be good or bad, depending on its outcome. If it leads to a self-nourishing behavior, or something that leads to wellness or well-being, it is a good habit. But if it is a toxic behavior, and leads to self-destruction or death, it is certainly a bad habit.

“Clean habits” would, of course, begin with a “clean heart.” The Bible is unapologetic when it reminds us “what comes out of us has a home within us.” In other words, God in - God out. If God is not dwelling within us, His “ways” certainly cannot come out of us.

We also need “clean hopes” or we do not worship the “idols” of this world. If God is not in first place, He may as well be considered as being in last place. Why?  Whatever is in first place is what we are indeed worshiping.

And we also need a “clean history” - not making any promises we do not intend to keep. If we say it, we must do it or make restitution - make up - what it costs the other.

Prayer: Lord, we’re careful not to touch unclean things or allow them touch us. May we be that way toward sin. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 24:4a He who has clean hands and a pure heart,

James didn’t want to be a farmer like his Dad. He resented the long days, hard work and low pay. So, every time Dad asked him to do something he would ask sarcastically, “Why?” or “Why should I do that?” or “Why me?” or “Why do you want that done?” It bothered his Dad who planned on leaving the farm to him when he died.

One day he gave him a basket with a rope on it and said, “Go to the well and fill it with water.” “Why?” asked his son. “None of your ‘whys’ this time - just do as you’re told.”

He dipped the basket in the well and pulled it to the top. He watched the water flow out between the spaces in the basket and became angry. “It won’t hold water,” he shouted. “Do it again,” said the Dad. Again the water seeped out of the basket. “Do it again,” said his Dad. “I will not. You’re not going to make a fool of me! I’m not going to do it again! Take your old basket back!”

“Look,” said his Dad with a smile. “Now the basket is clean - which is what it needed and you didn't have to ask ‘why.’ The water did what it was supposed to do. It washed away the dirt. Now it’s clean and we can use it to put our crops in.”

How like God’s Word. We don’t need to ask God “Why” we need to read His Word. It’s the way it works - it cleanses us from sin and keeps us pure. The Psalmist had it right: “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to Your Word.”

Prayer: Lord, give us a deep desire to read Your Word and allow it to fill our lives. Help us to become pure. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.

“Liquid gold” is a hot, black-market commodity of the “streets” these days. With rising prices and shrinking incomes people are becoming very creative in making ends meet. One new “industry” is stealing “Tide” - the popular laundry detergent.

Last year, police in Maryland broke up a crime ring that was stealing Tide and taking it to a nail salon that was buying the detergent and then reselling it to stores in other countries. Thieves would fill up their shopping carts with the product and then run for the exit doors.

Tide became the “cleaning agent of choice” because it is such a popular brand and has high resale value and it is used by homes in all countries no matter their income bracket - upper, middle or lower. One police detective told The Daily, “It’s the item to steal.”

We use cleaning products to get soil out of clothes and soap to get our bodies clean but they will not cleanse our hearts from sin. In fact, when David asked for God’s “cleansing” for his sins, he used the word “purge” which means un-sin me - purify me - from my uncleanness. He was so disturbed by the guilt he felt from the sins he committed that he used a word that was often used to describe the cleansing of a leper’s house. He wanted God to know he was serious and desperate for His cleansing.

Look at his words closely: “blot out,” “wash,” “cleanse me,” “hide Your face from me.” These words enable us to understand how much he wanted God’s forgiveness. His cry for forgiveness opens the curtain of his soul where we see a heart that was broken by sin, a mind deeply troubled because of sin, the solution for the removal of sin and his need for God’s approval.

What an example David set for every one of us!

Prayer: Father, trouble our hearts as You troubled David’s heart when we sin and give us no peace until we truly repent. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 51:7-8a Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.