Hands and Heart

Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle?
Who may dwell in Your holy hill?
He who walks uprightly,
And works righteousness,
And speaks the truth in his heart; (Psalms 15:1-2)
 
In scripture, hands and hearts are poignant symbols of a saint's work and worth. The hands symbolize all that we produce, invent, fashion, build up, and establish. The heart symbolizes our character, emotions, and motivation. The Bible teaches that the truth can be known about each of us by what we produce with our hands and the words which proceed from our heart. The honest Christian is one who has come to the Lord and received clean hands and heart, which will bring forth the fruit of a holy life.  
 
If we are going to draw close to the Lord, it will have to be on His terms, and He requires purity. As much as Jesus loves us, He hates sin, and He will not suffer sinful folks or their behavior. It is a grave mistake to believe He loves us so much that we can continue in sin without paying a painful price. Yet, Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us and to receive us when we turn to Him in repentance and sincerity. His instructions are clear, and we must follow them closely if we want to abide with Him, and if He is to dwell in us.  
 
Let's Pray - Dear God, give me clean hands, that I may offer an acceptable sacrifice; and a clean heart, that You might be glorified in me. In Jesus, Amen.