Story Published:
Jul 21, 2011 at 12:40 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Jul 21, 2011 at 12:40 PM CDT
"Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin." Psalm 51:2
Have you ever thought about what it means to be "washed" by the Lord? When I was a kid, I used to really think about this question, and my answer was so rudimentary.
I could never get past "bath time."
I thought the Lord dunked us in a huge tub of water and washed us, figuratively. I likened sin to the grass stains on my jeans. I likened sin to the dirt I collected in my afro from playing football with my friends (and yes, I had an afro).
When David makes this request of the Lord, he's speaking of something deeper and stronger. He's referencing something that happened long before his birth - original sin. Later in this Psalm, David will speak about being sinful at birth.
An old thought about original sin is that since we all are born, we come from the line of Adam and Eve, who were not born but created. Their children were born after they sinned against God. Consequently, all who are born are born "sinful." Psalm 51 was penned after David realized and confessed his sin with Bathsheba.
We all have sinned, and sin is leaves a much deeper stains than grass and does much more damage than destroying "afros." Sin destroys lives. It is deeply embedded in us, but David's request is helpful for us all. David asked to be washed and cleansed by the Lord. Only the Lord can wash us of sin because only the Lord knows exactly how dirty we are.
Only the Lord knows where are sinful thoughts and desires originated. God's cleansing is thorough. What sins are you struggling with today? Or should I ask what battles with sin are you losing today?
All of them?
Listen to this, "If we confess our sins, the Lord is faithful and just to forgive us or our sins and cleanse of all unrighteousness" (1 John1:9). Isn't that good news? Jesus will forgive us of our sins and wash us. This week's word may not be for you, but you know someone who needs it. For you and I, the greatest cleansing agent imaginable is not Mr. Clean, but the blood of Jesus Christ.
The Lord is willing and able to forgive you, which means your past is truly your past. The Lord is willing and able to wash us meaning there is not any trace of what you did or who you used to be. So, is it bath time?
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