Having a momentary lapse of thought, I poured oil into the pot where I was boiling an artichoke because I had mistaken it for the nearby pot of pasta. I shuddered at my mistake while it finished cooking. When I poured off the water, I could see that I couldn't use the artichoke because it had become permeated with the slick oil, clear to its heart, so I threw it out. Then, a thought came to me: Oil may spoil an artichoke heart, but the oil of God's kindness will purify a sin-choked heart through Jesus Christ.

Matthew 5:8 – Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (KJV)

Our hearts are choked and closed to the Word of God until we accept Jesus as our Saviour. I am so grateful that Christ can take a sin-soiled heart and open it to His love. Soap and water can cleanse the outward body, but when the heart is choked with separation from God's holiness, only a love intervention by God can clear the way to purity of heart. Opening our heart's door to Christ is the answer to restoring us spiritually. Only then are we ready to see God through the eyes of faith as we love, worship, obey, serve, and please Him.

David was a man after God's own heart. Although he served his Master well, he also fell into sin. David was broken by his choices and actions. He went to his Lord with a contrite heart, knowing that he had sinned against Him. He confessed and prayed for mercy, seeking the oil of restoration and a new heart.

Like David, when we know that we are out of compliance with our Lord, we can sincerely repent and receive forgiveness of sins. Jesus can restore our heart to purity so that we can see the Lord again, as we learn that His love is not based on our actions, but it is an unconditional gift.

I had no more need for the artichoke because it was ruined for my purpose. Our gracious and precious Lord, however, shows us mercy, over and over again. He does not throw us in the trash. He wants us to repent so that He can purify our hearts and restore us to service once again. When we approach our Lord, cleansed through Christ, we become like David, one after God's own heart.

Have you made a decision yet to live for Christ? Are you a believer who needs to ask for forgiveness and restoration? Jesus Christ is waiting for you to come to Him so that you can see God with a pure heart, because He loves you, and He wants you to see Him clearly.

Prayer: Dear Lord, when we fall away from Your truth, give us the courage to approach Your throne of grace to repent, so that we can be forgiven and restored to a pure heart. We want to see You clearly. Amen.

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About the author:

Karen Milam <karenbmilam@gmail.com>
Penn Valley, California, USA
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