Clean Hands, Clean Heart

"Give us clean hands, give us pure hearts,
Let us not lift our souls to another.
O God, let us be a generation that seeks,
That seeks Your face, O God of Jacob."

This morning I was reading Proverbs 7, a chapter I've read numerous times before, but to which I've never given great thought. It's talking about a man being enticed by a harlot, which of course is an experience I've never had. Or have I?

Well, personally, no, I've never been enticed by a harlot. But, what else have I been enticed by?

"Passing along the street near her corner; he took the path to her house, In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night." vs.8

Over the years, what sins have I allowed to creep into my life?

"So I came out to meet you, diligently to seek your face, and I have found you!" vs. 15

What thoughts and actions have I justified as being not too bad, or thought that it was worth the pleasure and only something I would do once?

"Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; let us delight ourselves with love." vs. 18

What sins did I allow into my life, not knowing that they would turn into habits and eventually into bondage?

"Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, he did not know it would cost his life." vs.22-23

Has my pride led me to think that I am strong enough spiritually to withstand the results of sin?

"Now therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention to the words of my mouth: Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths; For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men."vs. 24-26

And then I moved on to my NT reading, finishing up 2 Peter today, where it talks about the day of the Lord coming as a thief in the night and goes on to say,

"Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace; without spot and blameless." 2 Pet. 5:14

So my question to myself is, "Am I ready for Him to come and judge me? Would He find me in peace, without spot and blameless? What sins have I been justifying, with the thought that I have plenty of time to change?"

"You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." vs. 17-18

He's coming. Are you ready?