Clean hands, Pure Heart.

 Here is a poem on the theme of purity, drawing from the desire for clean hands and a pure heart as expressed in Scripture.

Clean Hands, Pure Heart

Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?

Who may stand within His holy place?

The one withclean hands and a pure heart,

Who does not lift the soul to what is base.

Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? That one shall receive blessing from the Lord. (Psalm 24:3-5)

Clean hands—from deeds that harm and cheat and lie,

From taking what was never mine to own.

A life of active mercy,reaching low,

By serving,making Your compassion known.

Pure heart—a wellspring guarded, deep within,

From idols subtle,selfishness, and pride.

A single,undivided loyalty,

Where only You,my God, reside.

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

I cannot scrub these stains with my own strength,

Nor polish up this heart of stone to shine.

So come,O Refiner’s Fire, burn away

All but Your gold,Your righteousness divine.

For blessed are the pure in heart, for they

Shall see their God.This is the highest prize.

Not just to serve You from a distant place,

But meet the glory shining in Your eyes.

So wash me, Lord. Purge every hidden part.

Let grace accomplish what my striving fails.

That I might dwell with You,and You with me—

A life where clean hands and a pure heart prevails.

Amen.

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Reflections on the Path to Purity

The journey to "clean hands and a pure heart" involves both grace and response:

· A Work of Grace: True purity begins with God's cleansing work through Christ (Hebrews 10:22). We ask Him to create a pure heart in us, as David did (Psalm 51:10).

· A Life of Response: It is also lived out through our choices—turning from wrongdoing ("clean hands") and cultivating an undivided devotion to God ("pure heart").

· The Promise: Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" (Matthew 5:8). This purity is the pathway to deeper intimacy with Him.

May this prayer be your heart's cry, trusting in His power to cleanse and keep you for His glory.