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“Holy Spirit, joy divine, cheer this saddened heart of mine; Yield a sacred, settled peace; let it grow and still increase.
“Holy Spirit, all divine, dwell within this heart of mine; Cast down ev’ry idol throne, reign supreme, and reign alone.”
We may do spring cleaning each year or perhaps scrub the house clean to prepare for a special guest. Everything is dusted, swept, washed, and polished, although daily and weekly dusting and cleaning keep it all in good shape. Human hearts need cleaning too, beginning with a baptismal washing as we are raised to new life, followed by daily repentance and cleansing from things that are far more deadly than dust or household spills. As Jesus said, “Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander” (Matthew 15:19). Something will always occupy the space of our hearts, but God commands us to have no other gods before Him. No one else, no earthly wealth, no possessions or sinful desires may take up residence within us. God has called us to be His own holy people in Christ Jesus and He reserves each believing heart as His dwelling place.
Only the Spirit of God can cleanse a sinful heart and transform it into a residence fit for Himself. Any previous occupants must be evicted. In the baptismal service, the Spirit moves the person to be baptized, with parents and sponsors answering on behalf of an infant, to renounce the devil and all of his works and ways. The evil foe has no place in our hearts. His deceitful and deadly reign over our lives is ended as we are baptized in the Name of the Triune God. We are welcomed into the kingdom of God as the Spirit, at work through the water and the Word of God, creates faith in our hearts. It is only through the power of the Spirit that we are able to confess Jesus as our Lord, the Savior through whom we receive forgiveness for our sins.
The Spirit continues to work through the Word of God as He moves us each day to repent of our sins and receive the forgiveness that Jesus won for us on the cross. The Spirit moves us to pray, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me” (Psalm 51:10-11). Day after day, the Holy Spirit continues His work within us to “cast down ev’ry idol throne, reign supreme, and reign alone.” The Spirit has made His home in our hearts. Through faith in Jesus, with hearts cleansed from sin, we receive the gift that the Spirit of God alone can give, the gift of His “sacred, settled peace.”
WE PRAY: Spirit of God, create Your home in my heart. Reign supreme there and reign alone! Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “Holy Spirit, Light Divine,” which is number 496 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Reflection Questions:
- Do you do anything as a daily practice/routine to help keep your life organized and efficient?
- What does it mean for God to “renew a right spirit” within us?
- How does God’s Holy Spirit bring us peace in times of worry or confusion?
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