PURGE ME WITH HYSSOP
“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”
Psalms 51:7 (NKJV)
READ: Psalm 51:1–17; 1 John 1:7–10; 2:1,2
In the Bible passage, we could see the content of David’s supplication (Psalm 51:7–9), his plea for forgiveness when he committed sin. David was asking God to purge him with hyssop leaves, and he would be clean (Psalm 51:7). He also asked that God would wash him and he would be whiter than snow (Psalm 51:7).
In the New Testament, hyssop leaves are not what is needed for cleansing but the blood of Jesus Christ:
“BUT IF WE WALK IN THE LIGHT AS HE IS IN THE LIGHT, WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER, AND THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HIS SON CLEANSES US FROM
ALL SIN" (1 John 1:7).
Bathing in a flowing river or using a special soap or leaf cannot cleanse you of any sin (Hebrews 9:9,10,14). It is the blood of Jesus Christ that makes you free from the harassment and guilt of sin—it cleanses your conscience (Hebrews 9:14).
A genuine believer who committed a sin will lose his or her peace the moment it is committed. Joy and gladness would be lost, and such a believer would not be able to confidently stand before God and pray (Psalm 51:3). The guilt of an unconfessed sin can be terrible and distracting. It can weigh the person down and make him unable to pray effectively (Psalm 51:14).
However, in this new dispensation of grace, a believer should not be weighed down with the guilt of any sin. The moment your conscience condemns you, go ahead and confess and repent immediately, and you shall be forgiven: “IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS” (1 John 1:9 NKJV).
Note:
• The problem of many believers is that they only see or consider the Word of God in abstract; they think it is notional or theoretical, and they do not really believe that it is applicable to them or their situations. However, the truth is, the Word of God can only work for
you when you personalise it. When you consider it for application to your situations and circumstances!
Thus, if you have any unconfessed sin in your life which is bothering your heart, and it has made your communion with God difficult and unproductive; confess it to God privately right now as you read this piece and be delivered from the guilt of it. David also asks that God would take His eyes away from his sins and blot out his iniquities (Psalm 51:9).
When you confess according to 1 John 1:9, you will be forgiven and cleansed. The reason being that Jesus has been made a propitiation, appeasement, or atonement for your sin—mankind’s sin in general (1 John 2:1,2). Whoever comes through Jesus’ name and blood will surely be forgiven and completely pardoned (Hebrews 10:19–22; 1
Peter 1:18,19). Do that now; do not procrastinate!
Reflect:
• Is there unconfessed sin weighing on you right now? Pause and
bring it before God.
Peace.
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