What Jesus Did! 'Pure Hearts' — Matthew 5:8

Friday, February 12, 2021

[Jesus continued:]
"God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God."
— Matthew 5:8 NLT

Key Thought

"Purer in heart, O God, help me to be ..." That's a powerful line of Fannie Davison's old hymn. Being pure in heart is also an amazingly pervasive theme in Scripture, whether articulated by the prophets, the psalmists, the wisdom teachers, Jesus, or the apostles. A clean heart is a signal of God's coming new age and is mandatory for true, authentic worship. Much of human life is tainted by duplicity and deception. Pure motives and an unspoiled heart are of utmost importance if we are to live the life of the Kingdom family. For those who are pure in heart, going to be with God is not a far journey, for they have sought to live with him every day. Going to be with God is simply the fulfillment of an ongoing passion to keep their hearts close to the Father's home.

Today's Prayer

O gracious and holy Lord, I know my heart can be deceptive and self-serving. But through your Holy Spirit, cleanse my heart, make your home there, and let your influence live there until I come home to be with you. I want my life to show forth my allegiance to you; I need your help as I seek to guard my heart from impurity, duplicity, and selfishness. Help me, O God, as I try to be pure in heart. Thank you, in the name of Jesus, your pure and perfect sacrifice. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Psalm 51:10
  • Psalm 24:3-4
  • Proverbs 20:9

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 5:8 NLT — [Jesus continued:] "God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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