Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

July 4– Evening

by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to empty pursuits nor sworn deceitfully.” 

—Psalm 24:4

Outward practical holiness is a precious mark of grace. It is to be feared that many professing Christians 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 to “a pure heart.” True Christianity is heart-work. We may wash the outside of the cup and the platter as much as we want, but, if the inside of the cup is filthy, we are filthy altogether in the sight of God. Our hearts are more truly ourselves than our hands; the very life of our being lies in the inner nature; we need purity within. The pure in heart will see God; all others are but blind bats.

The man who is born for heaven “has not lifted up his soul to empty pursuits.” All men have their joys by which their souls are lifted up; the worldling lifts up his soul to fleshly delights which are mere empty pursuits, but the saint loves more substantial things. He is lifted up in the ways of the Lord. The one who is content with husks will live with pigs. Dear reader, does the world satisfy you? Then you have your reward in this life; make much of it, for you will know no other joy.

The true Christian does not swear deceitfully. True saints are men of honor. Their word is their oath; it is as good as the oaths of twenty other men. False speaking comes from the heart of one who is shut out of heaven, for a liar will not enter God’s house. Reader, does the text before us condemn you, or are you among those who live in the presence of God? [M&E]