Cleaning and Restoration

Psalms 51:12 - Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.

Psalms 51:10 - Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

Have you ever had to clean your shoes?

Yesterday, I was cleaning my shoes. They weren't muddy, but they looked a little dirty. I grabbed some Clorox wipes and started cleaning them. Initially, while cleaning the main part of the shoes, I didn't notice much happening, especially since they are grey, making it harder to see. However, when I checked the wipe, it appeared dirty. I moved on to the outside sole of the shoe, which is white, and began cleaning it. As I wiped, it wasn't getting clean easily, and I had to scrub to restore the white color.

I usually don't bother to wipe my shoes unless they are muddy or visibly dirty.

While wiping my shoes, I couldn't help but think about Jesus wiping away my sins and making me clean. There may be areas where He has helped restore parts of me that I didn't know needed cleaning and restoration until I examined the evidence. Other parts were visibly in need of cleaning and restoration.

Just like with my shoes, I could tell when they were dirty because I know what they look like when they are brand new and unworn. Similarly, God sees us as brand new and unblemished. As we go about our days without noticing the areas that need attention, God sees these as calls for us to be cleaned and restored.

Psalms 51:2 - Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.

Psalms 51:7 - Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.