Daniel • Daniel 1

This begins my study of the Book of Daniel. 

As I read Daniel chapter 1, the first thing that stood out to me was in verse 2, "the Lord GAVE Jehoiakim". This shows that God is in control. We may not understand why God does what He does, but He is a just and holy God, therefore, He does require obedience and there are consequences to disobedience. 

The next thing that stood out was in verse 4, "young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve".  Out of the list of characteristics, the one that stood out the most was, "had ability to serve". 

As I focus this year on "Create/Renew" (Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10), that would definitely encompass the ability to serve. Just as important as the action of serving, the attitude of serving is equally as important. 

Action and attitude of serving are the results of a clean heart and steadfast spirit. 

Renew Psalm 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

Renew: to rebuild, repair, make anew, to be new

Dictionary.com defines the word renew as "to make effective for an additional period". 

Make effective. I like that aspect of the word "renew". As God works to restore and rebuild my spirit, then I will be effective! How awesome is that?!! 

Clean Heart Psalm 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

Clean: ethically pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)
Heart: the feelings, the will, the intellect; the center; with specific reference to moral character

Clean. That, at times, means different things to different people. Growing up, what I thought was a clean room, did not meet my sister's expectation. We both had different meanings for the word, "clean". And since we shared a room, that was a cause of contention between us. 

However, in Psalm 51, there is no room for personal interpretation. For it is God, who is creating a clean heart, therefore, it is God's absolute truth and pureness that defines "clean". 

The Psalmist knows that he has sinned and that only God can create a clean heart, a heart of purity according to God Himself. 

Create in me a clean heart. 

Heart. The essence of man's being. The heart is what determines actions and attitudes. The heart is the center hard drive that determines what the output. 

When sin enters the heart, the hard drive is corrupt and malfunctions. Sin is a virus that creates havoc. The only "upgrade" that will purge the heart of the virus is God Himself. 

Create in me a clean heart. 

That prayer will then have a great impact on all I do, say, and think. "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23

Create • Psalm 51:10

Create: shape, fashion, create, always of divine activity. 

The same word is used in Genesis 1:1.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

In Psalm 51:10 meaning of "create", is to fashion and transformation.

The process of "creating" may cause some pain and discomfort as God molds my heart into one pleasing to Him. 

Create in me — a prayer that must be accompanied by a willing and wanting soul.