Evening, July 4
Go To Morning Reading
“He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up
his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.”
Psalm 24:4
Outward practical holiness is a very precious mark of grace. It is
to be feared that many professors have perverted the doctrine of justification
by faith in such a way as to treat good works with contempt; if so,
they will receive everlasting contempt at the last great day. If our
hands are not clean, let us wash them in Jesus’ precious blood, and so let us lift up pure hands unto God. But “ clean hands ” will not suffice, unless they are connected with “ a pure heart .” True religion is heart-work. We may wash the outside of the cup and
the platter as long as we please, but if the inward parts be filthy,
we are filthy altogether in the sight of God, for our hearts are more
truly ourselves than our hands are; the very life of our being lies
in the inner nature, and hence the imperative need of purity within.
The pure in heart shall see God, all others are but blind bats.
The man who is born for heaven “ hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity .” All men have their joys, by which their souls are lifted up; the
worldling lifts up his soul in carnal delights, which are mere empty
vanities; but the saint loves more substantial things; like Jehoshaphat,
he is lifted up in the ways of the Lord. He who is content with husks,
will be reckoned with the swine. Does the world satisfy thee? Then
thou hast thy reward and portion in this life; make much of it, for
thou shalt know no other joy.
“ Nor sworn deceitfully .” The saints are men of honour still. The Christian man’s word is his only oath; but that is as good as twenty oaths of other
men. False speaking will shut any man out of heaven, for a liar shall
not enter into God’s house, whatever may be his professions or doings. Reader, does the
text before us condemn thee, or dost thou hope to ascend into the
hill of the Lord?