Psalms 51:10 Create in me a new, clean heart, O GOD, filled with clean thoughts and right desires. Don’t toss me aside, banished forever from your presence. Don’t take your HOLY SPIRIT from me. Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. [Living Bible translation]
BIBLICAL COMMENTS
David rose from the position of a simple shepherd to king of all Israel. He went from the bottom hills herding sheep to the very top of the power hierarchy, the throne. Having “been there,” David should have understood what it was like to have little to nothing. He should have understood how it felt to be just a soldier in the king’s army, as he had been when he served King Saul. But after rising to the top and to power, David lost his moral compass and strayed from what was right.
David took what was not his—namely another soldier’s wife. David got the soldier’s wife pregnant and then David orchestrated the soldier’s murder by sending the soldier to the front line of battle. (See 2 Samuel 11). When confronted with what he had done by the prophet Nathan, David confesses that he had sinned against GOD. See, 2 Samuel 12:13. In Psalms 51:10 David not only asks GOD to forgive him for his sinful actions, but David goes to the very root of the problem—the sinful thoughts and desires within himself. David prays to GOD to correct David, the inner man/the sinner.
Unlike Adam, David does not try to shift the blame. Unlike Cain, David does not focus on his punishment or make excuses. David confronts himself and humbles himself to GOD, admitting that the temptation and disobedience manifested itself first in his mind and his heart. Admitting that he (David) is the problem, David pleads with GOD for a clean heart. He prays for clean thoughts and asks GOD to give him right desires. He pleads for GOD’s HOLY SPIRIT. David humbles himself and simply come clean with GOD----he confesses he is a sinner--- he admits his desperate need for GOD’s help and begs for forgiveness.
CLEAN FOOD
So often our food looks clean, when in reality, it is not. One of the problems that consumers have to be concerned about is the use of pesticides on food. According to the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), pesticides are used on food to protect food from insects, rodents, weeds, mold and bacteria. Although pesticides “are useful” to society because they kill potential disease-causing organisms and control pests, the EPA also acknowledges that pesticides “by their very nature” “create some risk of harm” to humans, animals and the environment because they are “designed to kill or otherwise adversely affect living organisms.” See, www.epa.gov/pesticides/about . The effects on humans can vary depending upon the dosage of pesticides, the length of the exposure and other variables
Every year, The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit American environmental organization that specializes in research and advocacy to prevent exposure to toxic chemicals and to further greater corporate accountability, publishes a list of foods, which they label the “dirtiest” in terms of the number or amount of pesticides. Topping the 2018 list, for the third year in a row, were strawberries.
According to the report issued by The Environmental Working Group, one strawberry sample, revealed 22 separate pesticide residues. One-third of all strawberry samples contained 10 or more pesticide residues. Spinach, came in second, with 97% of the conventional samples containing pesticides. Spinach had1.8 times as much pesticides by weight than any other crop.
The Environmental Working Group’s 2018 (“dirty dozen”) full list of foods which should be eaten organically because of their high levels of pesticides include:
- Strawberries 7. Cherries
- Spinach 8. Pears
- Nectarines 9. Tomatoes
- Apples 10. Celery
- Grapes 11. Potatoes
- Peaches 12. Sweet Bell Peppers
See, https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty-dozen.php. Despite this list and the findings by the EWG, The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency says today’s fruits and vegetables are “safer than ever.” See, “Strawberries, spinach top ‘Dirty Dozen’ list of fruits and vegetables with most pesticides,” by Sean Rossman, USA Today, April 10, 2018.
The Environmental Working Group’s 2018 (Clean 15) least likely list of foods to contain pesticide residue include the following:
- Avocados 10. Eggplants
- Sweet Corn 11. Honeydue
- Pineapples 12. Kiwis
- Cabbages 13. Cantaloupes
- Onions 14. Cauliflower
- Sweet Peas 15. Broccoli
- Papayas
- Asparagus
- Mangoes
COMING CLEAN
We have to be mindful of the food we prepare for guest on special holidays, for potlucks, in our places of worship, for gatherings, for our children and for ourselves. What is often “the cheapest” preparation is not always the healthiest, the “cleanest” or safest way to eat. So, be mindful.
We must also be mindful that “fast food” restaurants rarely serve organic or use organic produce because of the commercial “extra cost.” So be mindful.
Similarly, our minds and hearts are also exposed and at risk every day. So, be mindful. Be mindful of what you say or think. Let us also always remember that spiritual cleansing can only come from GOD and that every day is a day we can “come clean” to HIM.
So, aim to eat “clean.” But most importantly, pray for a “clean” heart. Ask GOD for right thoughts and right desires. Be Mindful of the need for HIS help, HIS HOLY SPIRIT and HIS forgiveness.
Be Mindful and BE BLESSED!
