I heard about a man who went to see his doctor for advice: “I'm losing my memory, Doc,” the man explained. A week later he received the diagnosis: “We cannot help your memory without impairing your eyesight. The choice is yours. Would you rather be able to see or to remember?” The man thought for a minute, fidgeted a little, then replied,“I'd rather have my eyesight than my memory. I'd rather see where I'm going than remember where I've been.”
Too many of us are controlled by where we've been. Overpowered by past failures, we determine to give up. But, like the man in the doctor's office, we need to be determined to press on.John Creasey knew the meaning of pressing on. In his bid to have a book published, John received 753 rejection slips. I'm not sure how many rooms he could have wallpapered with them, but Creasey's mind wasn't on interior decorating. Instead, he sent out one more manuscript. The result? The English novelist went on to publish 564 books.
Babe Ruth is another example. Most sports trivia buffs can tell you that he hit 714 home runs. But few know that he also struck out 1,330 times! Scripture is filled with the stories of saints who struck out. Peter, the disciple who was most vocal in his determination to follow Christ, denied Jesus with curses and an oath. King David was guilty of adultery and murder, yet he is referred to as a man 'after God's own heart.'
Both Peter and David understood that failure doesn't come in the falling. It comes in not getting back up. This morning, my message focuses on our need for “A Clean Heart.” Like King David, each of us has sinned, and will yet sin again. Even still, God desires that we get up from our fall and come to Him for forgiveness and cleansing.
Amazingly, God can and will create in us a “clean heart.” A clean heart is a free heart, free to let God take us where He wants us to go. But we must come to Him in His way -- and on His terms.
So, how do I get my heart clean? Remember, it’s not what you and I can wash that makes our heart clean. It’s what Jesus did for you, and how you respond to Him that differentiates between a clean heart and a hard heart.
