From Murky Water Springs Life!

Scripture:  Psalm 51:2 (NKJV) - Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.

Psalm 51:7 (NKJV) - Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

In the cool of the morning or after the sun goes down, I venture out to the koi pond. No matter what kind of day is ahead of me or behind me, the pond has a way of calming me. Listening to the rippling water and watching the fish and bully-frog (my name for it, LOL) come to the surface creates a peaceful backdrop and soundtrack for the perfect sunrise or sunset.

One thing I recently noticed was the fact that the water had turned greener … “murkier”. Is that a word?? You could see the build-up – a combination of elements from the weather, leaves and other debris that had fallen into the pond and of course waste coming from the fish living their best life. But no matter how green and murky the water gets, there are still signs of life! The fish still come up for food, the bully-frog still leaps across the width of the pond, the lily pad still produces green petals and beautiful white blooms with yellow centers. It kinda reminds me of me – no matter how dirty I get (from my sinful ways or from being in the world but not of it), life still springs up in me! GOD IS LIFE! God in me is life! The fact that He delights in me – sinful, disobedient, always leaning to my own understanding then wondering why I’m not experiencing God’s best abundant life me – is mind-blowing! The fact that He STILL pursues me and cares about me after I’ve disappointed Him over and over again is beyond amazing! On my best days, I am simply a sinner saved by His grace … nothing more, nothing less.

When we sin, we taint our personal relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. But because of the awesome sacrifice that God made and the obedience of Jesus doing The Father’s will even to the point of death, we can restore it. Acknowledging and agreeing with God that we sin – in thought, word or deed – is determined by His standard, not our own. We have to be grateful for every opportunity God allows us to repent, pray and ask for His forgiveness. We shouldn’t take God’s grace and mercy for granted; we must know and understand the seriousness of Him giving us what we don’t deserve (grace, unmerited favor) and Him not giving us what we do deserve (mercy).

Listen! No matter how much we mess up, no matter how many times we fail Him, no matter how sinful we are, the Blood of Jesus cleanses us! Because of Christ, no matter how dirty (sinful) we are, God sees us as His clean, righteous children. We need only come to Him with humble, repentant hearts – open, naked and exposed – asking for His mercy, forgiveness and cleansing. And just as the koi fish come out brightly colored, unaffected by the murky, green water, we come forth white as snow, unaffected by our sin. HALLELUJAH!!! THANK YOU JESUS!!!

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your saving grace! Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to die in our place on the Cross those many years ago. Thank You that His Blood STILL covers! Thank You that His Blood STILL cleanses! Thank You that His Blood STILL delivers! After ALL these years, The Blood STILL has miraculous power! Thank You Father for cleaning us up! Thank You for seeing us as righteous! It’s only because of You, Your Son and Your Holy Spirit that we are here this very minute! We recognize and acknowledge that it didn’t have to be that way … and it doesn’t have to be that way ever again! Please forgive us, cleanse us from all unrighteousness! I thank You for the opportunity to be able to come to You; it is a privilege to have direct access to Your throne. In Your Son Jesus’ Name we always pray … AMEN!!

(by Casey Turner)