“A clean heart" - nothing fake or unclean. I pray, "create in me a clean heart" when my thoughts go negative. Psalm 51: 10, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
Israel’s King David who is known for his closeness with God and for writing the Psalms. David had a rough season with sin, committing adultery and murdered someone to cover up his sin. David wrote Psalm 51 when he realized the extent that he had betrayed God. Verses 10-12 go on to say, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." It is a heartfelt prayer begging for God's mercy, cleansing and restoration. This is not a one time prayer! I have to revisit it whenever I need to confess and restore my fellowship with God.
At the end of David's life, God did not define him as an adulterer or murderer. In Acts 13:22, thousands of years after David's sins we read of his legacy described by God. "And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’" When we pray for a clean heart and renewed spirit, we are made pure and new in God's sight! Create in me a clean heart, God!
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