Your Daily Devotional for July 21, 2007

 

July 21,  2007

 

 

Personal Purification

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law."

 

Nehemiah 8:1-3

 

 

The Scottish preacher Robert Murray McCheyne wrote to Dan Edwards, a missionary to Poland, after the latter's ordination as a missionary, "In great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God."

 

We are living in a day when Americans seem to think the answer to our problems always lies in another program or even in another person in leadership. But while people look for better programs, God looks for better Christians. God desires to use us, not because of our talents, but because of our purification.

 

Our verses today tell the story of the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. As the wall was finished, the Bible records that a great number of people gathered at Jerusalem. Undoubtedly they were thrilled with the completed project, but they were totally unaware of what their real need was—they needed purification!

 

They had all gathered together, probably expecting to be done with the building project, but they still had to build their spiritual lives! Just as the Israelites, our greatest need is purification today. We need to let God purify our hearts and remove any sin or hindrance in our lives.

 

One way we can purify our hearts is by opening our hearts to God's Word. The people came together and were ready to hear from God's Word. They opened their hearts and sought to hear from God. We must come to God each day and open our hearts to Him through His Word. We can sometimes read the Bible without truly seeking to apply it to our lives. We must open our hearts to His Word each time we read it and seek to purify our hearts through His Word.

 

We can also purify our hearts by remaining steadfast in our church attendance. The church is where God's people come together to listen to His Word and to grow spiritually. If we are not faithful to church, we will not get the spiritual nourishment we need each week! As we attend church, God is able to work in our lives and purify our hearts.

 

It would do us all well to look at our own hearts and seek God's purification. We are purified through His Word and through church. We must be faithful in reading His Word with an open heart, attending church, and applying the truths learned.

 

How is your heart today? If we were honest, we would admit that we all could use a good spiritual cleaning. Take time right now to open your heart to God and let His Word purify your heart. Determine today to be faithful to your Bible reading and to attending church during these summer months.

 

Daily Bible Reading

Psalm 29-30 • Acts 23:1-15

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