Approaching God with clean hands

Approaching God with clean hands         

Psalm 24:3-4 “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false”. NIV Bible

Extra Reading: Psalm 24:1-10

I have observed something significant about the Lord. Whenever He prayed, he lifted up his hands. When He healed the sick, He laid his hands on them. When He washed the disciples’ feet, He used His hands as well. The Department of Health has put up big billboards, with a message to encourage people to wash their hands after visiting the bathroom or before eating. With the constant threat of germs and viruses, we have to heed the warning and wash our hands regularly.

David also spoke of the importance of “clean hands,” but for a different reason. He said that clean hands are one requirement to being able to enter into God’s presence for worship: “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place?” he asked. Can you guess the answer? “He who has clean hands and a pure heart” (Psalm 24:3-4). Here “clean hands” is not a reference to personal hygiene but a metaphor for our spiritual condition-being cleansed from sin (1 John 1:9). It speaks of a life committed to what is right and godly-enabling us to stand blameless before our Lord in worship. As His life is lived out in our lives, He can help us to do what is right so that our hands are clean and our hearts are ready to give worship to our great God. Are your hands clean? How will you succeed in approach God?

Prayer: O Lord, cleanse us and purify us, so that we may worship God without guilt. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Rev. Samuel N. Modise