Optimum Best

Yesterday we had our heating-cooling system serviced. We were not surprised to see the collection of dust-debris-etc that had accumulated through seasons of use. It brought to my mind how much I need the cleansing power of God's Word in my life! The psalmist wrote, "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee" (Psalm 119:11 KJV). Oh, I want to say that with all the confidence of the psalmist! I fear I've hidden too many other things - polluting, unclean things - that have (like my heating-cooling system) have junked-up my heart. Believers' hearts need continual cleansing and God has given us the means: "The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. You, O Lord, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation forever." (Psalm 12:6-7 ESV). What a foolish notion God's children have in thinking they can know closeness to The Father (pure and holy) when our hearts are full of sin and impurities! Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth writes, "Your progress in holiness will never exceed your relationship with the holy Word of God" (The Quiet Place). The Word of God is life-giving and life-sustaining for those who belong to Jesus. I'm happy to say our system is now clean and working at optimum best; in the same way, hearts cleansed and minds transformed by The Word of God will always honor Jesus at ... optimum best.