"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." (verse 8)
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This verse, so familiar, often passed by, stands out to me today. Yes, I believe it encompasses a future hope of standing in God’s very presence, face to face in that great day – praise God. But I also believe this promise has something within it for right here, right now – seeing the Lord in my daily walk, experiencing him in intimacy, being drawn more deeply into relationship and communication.
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Lord, this is what I want. May there be more, Lord.
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What I hear in this verse is that purity of heart opens the door to this blessing. This instruction speaks of uncluttered devotion to the Lord, distractions of mind and imagination and will being cleared out of the way. “Unite my heart to fear your name,” says the psalmist (Psalm 73:1). Again, in answer to his own questions (“Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?”), David responds: “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” (Psalm 24:3-4).
Praise God, clean hands and a pure heart have been freely given us in Jesus!So, then, live in that place. Do not let sin reign in mind or body, but rather keep Jesus as Lord, reigning in heart and life. Where temptation leads to sin, confess it, be cleansed (like water washing crusty feet) and unite your heart again in allegiance to Jesus.
But there is something further here of instruction for seeing God. The residual clutter and noise of the heart needs to be cleared and calmed, taking every thought captive to Christ, allowing the purity of Jesus to win the day. Live “in Christ,” moment by moment. The prospect of seeing God more clearly is huge incentive to press forward, to be vigilant, to submit to the ongoing work of the Lord himself in mind and heart.
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O Lord, as the old hymn says, “take my heart, it is thine own.” Purify it entirely so that I am truly yours, living as one who is “eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:14).
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Try it: Set the alarm on your smart phone reminding yourself three times today to stop, to remember that in Jesus you are pure in heart, and then, in that place, to experience God’s presence. Give him thanks. Nurture the connection.
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Photo by Jan Antonin Kolar on Unsplash