I’m working through the Beatitudes right now. I’ll list the eight:

Blessed are…

the poor in spirit,

those who mourn,

the meek,

those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

the merciful,

the pure in heart,

the peacemakers,

those who are persecuted.

I’ve often run to verse four, Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. I’ve gone there for myself, or for someone who is mourning. It is a great comfort.

But today, the one I focused on was, “the pure in heart”.

Who is pure in heart? Certainly not me! I go through my day often being “impure in heart” by my thoughts, insensitive words, impatience at a driver in traffic, or even my sweet mate.

What do I do with these faults that continually arrest my spirit when I want to be pure? Well, today, I was directed to go to another portion of Scripture: But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done (Psalm 38:18 NLT). How often do I have to do this? May I be very transparent with you, dear reader? I must confess those sins/trespasses/wrong doing–however you want to say it–daily. Sometimes hourly. 

Do you think God gets tired of hearing my asking to forgive me for those times when I’m not pure in heart? I don’t believe so. He knows us so well and he gently forgives me. Until I am transported to my Heavenly Home, I will have to deal with my sinful ways. It says If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:8-9 NIV). 

There it is in black and white. We are not without sin and we deceive ourselves if we say we don’t. But if we acknowledge those sins–impurities–he will forgive. Immediately. Oh, we can fake it. On the outside we might look and sound pretty good, but inwardly if we are honest with ourselves, we aren’t.

That’s pretty discouraging, isn’t it? We’re sinful? Yes we are. But the best part? We can go to the One who made us. Who knows our inner self–our heart–and forgives us. Right away. He doesn’t yell at us. He doesn’t withhold mercy. He simply asks us to recognize our wrongs and confess them.  And then he forgives.

Today, my prayer was very direct with God. I simply wrote in my journal, “Dear Lord Jesus, please make my heart pure. Help me be more like You. I have to keep asking You to forgive me, but I know You do, because You say so.”

I write my prayers in a journal. This little book has verses at the bottom of the page. I didn’t read the verse until I finished writing my prayer today. Here’s what it said:

 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT).

It was like a voice to me. I’d just opened my heart and he answered with that verse! I think that’s pretty outstanding, don’t you?

He understands me–and he understands you, too. He has plans for me–and you–for good. He promises a future and hope. That hope is trusting in the Holy Spirit to remind me when my heart isn’t pure. To faithfully forgive me. And give me a future.

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I like this song from Psalm 51:10, Create in me a clean heart, O God.