I’ll be cleaning the house this week, preparing for Easter. I’ll fluff up the bouquet of silk flowers, bright yellow ones with forsythia, reminding me of springtime in the North. I’ll put out the iris dish and the vase with purple iris on it, and hang the iris paintings on the wall behind it. I love spring and new beginnings.
I’ll make sure the spring tablecloth and coasters are in readiness for the family feast on Sunday when the Jackson nine gather for dinner after church. I’ll hang the decorative Easter eggs from the chandelier and do the centerpiece with the bunnies and an Easter basket filled with treats for after dinner.
Then, I’ll reread the story of Jesus’ last week, what we now know as Holy Week. I’ll join his righteous indignation as he “cleansed” the temple, overthrowing the tables and reminding the moneychangers that it is not a den of thieves. I’ll pray for the church universal and how it all-too-often these days is embracing the pagan culture, ever trying not to offend the WOKE, those with aberrant sexual orientation, and the preaching of the prosperity gospel and misled theology. And because I am presently steeped in a study of Revelation, and seeing the signs and wonders others have seen that reveal the horrible result of procrastinating for those who refuse to embrace the Gospel and follow Jesus. It breaks my heart. It grieves my soul. While part of me cries out, “How long, Lord? Maranatha, Come quickly, Lord Jesus!” the other part of me understands You, Sovereign God, are providing every opportunity for those whose hearts are stone to embrace the truth of the Gospel of Jesus.
I have much to confess. My heart needs cleansing. My book title says it all: “Restore My Soul Psalms: A Lenten Journey.” I have written each day, pleading my readers to come to You, and I am ready to receive the Risen Savior once more in the renewal of spring. I pray our empty hearts will be filled with Your presence once again with the miracle of Easter and the joyous truth that You live in our hearts. Fill us, then, with Your love and a fervent longing for salvation for all those You are calling to Yourself in this season. May the resurrection be very real to us, for You have made a way for us sinners to live abundantly and victoriously because Jesus cleanses us, taking our scarlet sins and making us whiter than the snow.
MY PSALM 342 CLEANSING
Dear Lord, Just God, Holy God,
We come to You this day
Asking that You cleanse us,
Make us whiter than snow,
Clear our consciences once again
As we recognize Your power
Though the mercy of Your Son’s atonement
To do exactly that.
Just as He cleansed the temple
Of unrighteous practices,
Cleanse our hearts.
Clean house, O God,
And turn the tables on our idolatry,
Throw out the besetting sins which afflict us,
And purify us as vessels fit for Your use.
Remind us daily through Your Word
Of Your abounding mercy and grace.
Tell us once again that You
Remove our iniquities as far as
The East is from the West.
That these sins are forgiven
And even more, forgotten
Because of the blood of Jesus Christ.
When we commit sins of omission or commission,
Show us our failures so we can confess them immediately.
Especially keep our tongues from speaking evil,
From use that is less than loving and merciful
Toward others. Use our songs to praise Your Name.
Use our words to comfort and bring peace.
Use our languages to communicate
With all tribes and nations.
Use our prayers to praise Your Name.
Bring us with grace to Your throne
In intercession for others who come to mind:
Those in prison,
Those whose minds are imprisoned by drugs or alcohol,
Those whose bodies are failing.
Those who are without hope
Because they do not know You.
Those who languish in poverty and want.
Those who in ignorance hold on to the past
And ignore the future which could be bright with joy.
Those who are depressed, bipolar, or mentally ill.
Those who are lonely even in a crowd.
Commission us, Lord, to serve You with vigor and strength,
Because You have cleansed us and redeemed us
For use in Your Kingdom and for Your Glory.
In grateful thanksgiving, we praise You this day. Amen.
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