Washing Grace
Scripture Reading — Psalm 51
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:7
One morning from our deck we saw our neighbors’ dining room windows cranked wide open and long arms rubbing the glass. Those energetic arms belonged to the grandsons of our friends.
Teenagers washing windows for their grandparents! Our friends must have been thrilled! While I encouraged the slightly embarrassed workers, Edith took a picture. Soon they appeared on their grandparents’ deck for another photo while sitting on the porch swing. A sunny morning and windows facing east had made their task a challenge.
Today’s psalm speaks of washing our souls. Those good-natured grandsons didn’t use hyssop. It looked more like water and elbow grease. God didn’t use hyssop on us either. He used blood—the blood of his Son—shed on a cross for those who can only cry, “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
Our friends can look out their window, remember their grandsons, and say, “Didn’t those boys do a wonderful job?” God can look at me and say to his Son, “Jesus, you did a wonderful job.” And I, his cleansed child, am thrilled!
Once again, it’s all by grace—washing grace.
God of abounding grace, we give you thanks today for your grand Son, our Savior, who washed us clean with his blood. Through Jesus Christ, Amen.
About the author — Dale Vander Veen
Dale Vander Veen is a retired Christian Reformed pastor who with his wife, Edith, has ministered in California, Washington, and Michigan. They have three married children and six grandchildren. He currently writes a daily e-mail series of devotions.
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