“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee” (Psalm 51:10-13).
I remember Valentine’s Day when I was nine. At home, mom would buy us each a box of Valentines, and we would spend hours sitting at the kitchen table carefully selecting one for each student in our class. For the whole week leading up to Valentine’s Day, it seemed that everyone was just a little bit nicer, because how could you not be nice to others? After all, the nicer you were, the more Valentines you would receive.
Every day, our eyes were drawn to the folders that were stapled on the board; as the week wore on, our bounty increased. By Friday, we could take down the folders filled with candy hearts, cards with cute sayings, and chocolate. It was a treasure chest for a nine year old with very little in the way of material things.
Many years have passed since that time in my life as a nine year old, but I still remember how much hope that week prior to the big day brought me. It is a hope that transcends time. If God were to give us the perfect gift, think about what it would be like? We don’t have to think about it, because he already has given us the perfect gift: salvation.
Hearts are sometimes broken; and not all hearts can withstand the trials of this life, but the Lord promises to make us new hearts, if we are willing to receive it. Are you willing to make a fresh start?
In the Time of the Lattereign 