Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. - Psalm 51:7.
Commercials and documentaries in the media and on television are aplenty about the health benefits of colon cleansing. The latest I saw on TV was a detailed account of how within our bodies, one can for years, have trapped within them waste matter that is highly toxic. It went on to show how it becomes almost rubbery, and then gave the poundage as high as 10 as to what some people are carrying within them from day to day.
With the high rate of cancer stemming from this toxic waste, I now see how very important it was for parents of yesteryear, to give regular mouthfuls of catnip or bush medicine, not leaving out the much-dreaded castor oil. But, don't forget that these were the days of breakfast -- oatmeal, porridge, grits and pancakes and, yes bread and tea -- that was not heavily laced with artificial food substances. There were no fast foods and food franchises. It was mama's pot.
Health consciousness is being widely promoted to combat debilitating diseases. Everything is now low fat, low calories and organic dietary yields. Also heavy intakes of food are being discouraged and small portions encouraged -- more water and less sweet drinks.
In our lesson text today, David in Psalm 51 makes a plea for pardon. He addresses the great judge of the universe with a three-point presentation. He acknowledges iniquity and transgressions and then soulfully asks that mercy and forgiveness be given him. Haunted by his guilt, David acknowledges personal responsibility for his sin. He had sinned against God. He had sinned against Bathsheba, Uriah, the nation and himself. He realized that he had violated God's law.
"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness, according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me.
"Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."
It is detrimental to our spiritual health to be filled with iniquitous deeds, actions and thoughts. Over the years, sin has been piling within us stuff as high as a mountain. Yes, indeed, most of us need to take regular doses of internal cleansing. We need a thorough cleansing so that we would be able to see our brothers and sisters in a more humane, dignified and respectful manner.
We need purging from malice, envy and jealousy. We need purging from gossiping, lying and backbiting. We need purging from digging ditches for others to fall in. We need purging from the rise in dysfunctional family life and the plotting and planning for the downfall of those whom we appear to love and serve.
We need purging from spreading false rumors on our brothers and sisters. We need purging from idleness, slothfulness and complacency, waywardness and deceit. We need purging from back sliding adultery and unnatural sexual behavior. We need purging from greed so that we can see the need of others. We need purging from promoting vices and downgrading virtues, values and faith. We need purging from hypocrisy. Lord, our nation needs purging so that we may be the righteous nation you desire for the good of the people of the land.
Today Lord, I present myself to you for inspection and cleansing. We pray to God to purge us of all that would make us socially, mentally and spiritually healthy to be of service to you.
o E-mail rubyanndarling@yahoo.com, write to P.O. Box 19725 SS Nassau, Bahamas with your prayer requests, concerns and comments. God's Blessings!

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian