CLEANSE ME

          How easy it is for us to find and criticize the faults of others.  We can criticize what they say, what they do, the decisions that they make, and even their commitment.  Often they just don't live up to our standards and we can dwell upon their faults and apparent sins.  
          Knowing that this would be a problem for mankind, Jesus reminded us to first examine our own lives before ever judging others.  Matthew 7:3 (ESV), "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?"
         This week's hymn is a prayer for the Lord to examine us and our sins and cleanse us from all sin.  Some versions title this song "Search Me" while others say" Cleanse Me."
           At the age of 24, a Baptist evangelist, James Edwin Orr (1912-1987) wrote this hymn following an Easter campaign in New Zealand.  During that campaign in 1936, revival fell on the people of New Zealand. Midnight services had to be added to accommodate the crowds. Many people were converted. 
            Revival fire spread across the island nation. The key to this revival was the public confession and reconciliation of believers.  A theme verse for that revival was Psalm 139:1, which says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart today." As hearts were cleansed, the Holy Spirit moved in power.
          As Dr. Orr. was set to leave New Zealand, four Aborigine girls came to him and sang him their native song of farewell. Impressed by the song, especially the tune, and still stirred by the revival he had witnessed there, he quickly scribbled some verses on the back of an envelope while he was waiting. The song went on to be a challenge and a help to many over the decades.  Further campaigns by Dr. Orr throughout Australia in the 1930s and later in nearly all of the English-speaking world, soon popularized this prayer hymn everywhere.
          David also had to deal with sin in his life when he prayed, as recorded in Psalm 139: 23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way."  What a powerful but dangerous prayer.  When we ask the Lord to search our lives, He may indeed point out sin that we need to deal with.  And if we don't deal with what he reveals, we will not experience the victory and joy He desires for His children. 
          The words have expressed my own longing for God to search me and know me, to cleanse me and fill me with His Spirit, and to use my life in His service.  Read through the song and make it your own prayer to God the Father.  Be willing to be known by God and confess all of your sins to Him.  Choose to follow Him in Christ Jesus, whatever the cost. 

 1.    Search me, O God,
And know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior,
Know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be
Some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin
And set me free.

2.   I praise Thee, Lord,
For cleansing me from sin;
Fulfill Thy Word,
And make me pure within.
Fill me with fire
Where once I burned with shame;
Grant my desire
To magnify Thy Name.

3.     Lord, take my life,
And make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart
With Thy great love divine.
Take all my will,
My passion, self and pride;
I now surrender, Lord
In me abide.

4.     O Holy Ghost,
Revival comes from Thee;
Send a revival,
Start the work in me.
Thy Word declares
Thou wilt supply our need;
For blessings now,
O Lord, I humbly plead.

 

You can listen to it here.  CLEANSE