Clean Hands

“The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.” Job 17:9

Un-confessed sin, which a Christian either does not seek out, or once finds but ignores in his life, is like leaving an even thicker layer of grease on the lifeline that Jesus cast down from heaven. This grease, starting just above the notch that a truly redeemed and cleansed Christian holds onto as we stand in the palm of our Father’s hand, will prevent us from rising higher. Some think that as long as the notch at the base is clean and dry; where we were regenerated and made into a new creature, the Lord will lift us up directly into heaven if only we ‘let go and let God.’ To this, some will ask, ‘Why must we climb?’ I reply, ‘Look up! Don’t you see the face of Jesus? There He is; don’t you see Him, standing at the right hand of the Father in heaven?  Don’t you see the angels gathered around the throne; watching what Christ will do through you and all His ransomed souls? Repent! Be ye sanctified and grasp that slippery rope with clean hands, and in faith, reach higher!’

Yes, looking up you will also see someone else in the air. He is another created being, called a prince but one who holds and pours from a boiling pot our daily trials and afflictions, which ooze down the line before you. In fact, it seems to be even thicker and more threatening as our eyes survey the line as it reaches higher above us but to that end, our Father only allows such as he knows is within our reach. Yes, this is true, and with clean hands, this is for our good! Again, look even above that! Do not let our eyes become fixed on anything or anyone lower than where our blood line attaches to the base of the throne and the fount springs forth grace and mercy. Our Father; the One Whom is above the one in the midst of the air allows this for us! Do you not see Job; having made the climb, seated at Jehovah’s feet? He is smiling too. You ask, ‘Why does God allow this?’ Surely not so the Father can learn the strength of our own hands and goodness! No, He did so to demonstrate the power and strength of His grip on us; His precious elect and blood-purchased prize. He does this for His glory and for all the heavenly and earthly host to see and praise Him for eternally.

‘Still,’ you cry, ‘I tried but I can’t! I keep slipping back to the first notch. It’s always been that way for me!’ Yes, this has always been true my beloved for us and many, many others who have gone before. ‘Then why?’  you cry with tears streaming down; only to find them cupped and collected in His palm. ‘Why?’ you ask again, but this time there comes an answer:  ‘Rarely have I found you with clean hands my son after that first day when you came to the fount and my Son washed them. However, if you confess your sins, I am faithful and just to forgive you your sins, and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. And it’s your unrighteousness and stubbornness that causes you to slip. Now, look up, and by faith, reach again.’