WASHING MACHINE CLEAN
“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” ~Psalm 51:7 NIV
I love my washer and dryer!!!
I know, I’m kinda weird getting excited over appliances, but if you’ve ever had not-so-good ones and then you’ve gotten knew ones that make everything washing machine clean; you totally get my exhilaration. When we moved in May, we included the owner’s shiny new washer and dryer into the offer to purchase, and she accepted!
This weekend we really got to test those appliances with all the kids home for Thanksgiving. In preparing the house, I used the Steam mop to clean the floors. The mop gets really dirty from the sand in our area so, it has to go on the ‘Sanitize’ Setting taking two hours and 17 minutes! Freshening up sheets on the quick wash setting only takes 26 minutes. Towels were washed in abundance, taking 44 minutes a cycle.
Today at church I was talking with a dear friend. She’s going through a really hard time, having to deal with past hurts that have cropped back up in her life causing a whole new set of issues. She expressed frustration over needing to get help again, so I shared with her how God’s been taking me through a time of deeper healing from some of the pains in my past.
The amount of hurt or dirt in your life
will determine how long you need to
stay in the ‘wash’.
Sometimes you need an extra cycle before you can come out
washing machine clean!
In this verse,
David understands what it’s like to deal with the issues of his past. Once again, David is asking God to clean him up and he’s not talking about dirt on his face.
HYSSOP
It’s interesting to me how David asks the Father to cleanse him with hyssop. Since I’m not a gardener I had to look it up. Hyssop is often called the ‘holy herb’, and in Bible-times it was used for “cleaning holy places.”1 Because of it’s wonderful aroma; hyssop cleans and refreshes, leaving you whiter than snow.
Just like my fancy appliances that chime out a song when the cycle’s done, God knows the right setting to wash us clean. Trust God with your timing.
Prayer
Father…I thank You for loving me just like I am, but caring enough to not leave me this way! Help me to ‘stay in the cycle’ long enough to be washed clean; free from the dirt and hurt in my life. I’m crying out like David did…please, make my heart, washing machine clean. In Jesus Name…Amen
[tweetthis]The amount of hurt or dirt in UR life will determine how long U need 2 stay in the wash[/tweetthis]
***If you want an interesting Bible Study,look up all ‘Drawing From The Well’ verses this week on times Hyssop is mentioned in Scripture. I think you’ll be amazed!
If you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.
#Dare2Share
Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!
- Psalms 51:7
- Leviticus 14:1-6, 49-53
- Exodus 12:22
- John 19:28-30
For an interesting read on Hyssop, Check out this Word Nerd Wednesday post on Hyssop!
- https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/hyssop/profile Website Accessed: 2017-10-15
- https://www.gotquestions.org/hyssop-Bible.html Website Accessed: 2017-10-15
YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis, Soul Survival – Donna Reidland,
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin

Thank you Sherry for this message and personal sharing this morning. Words of encouragement that I needed to read this morning. God Bless You for answering His call in all that you are doing in sharing His messages of love and encouragement!
Linda,
I’m so glad to hear from you. I heard the news about Fred at church yesterday. I’m praying for you both.
Much love,
~Sherry
xoxo
LOVE the meaning of hyssop. Puts a whole new spin (no pun intended) on being washed clean. It isn’t just the outside of our garments the Lord is concerned about but the hidden holy places he is sanitizing and purifying. Praising Him for knowing the exact timing, temperature and cycle necessary for each of us. The only colour that runs is the red of His blood.❤
Oh Jeannie, I love what you’ve said!
Have a blessed day.
~Sherry
xoxo
This verse is truly one of my favorites, and I praise God for making us truly clean and for keeping us that way. I read your comment at my blog, and my website host, unfortunately, has no way for me to respond to comments. I just wanted to say that your festivities sound like a BLAST, and I would show up if I lived in your town. What a way to witness for Christ! I honestly love it, and I’m so glad you visited me today.
Rosa,
Thanks for the reply. I loved your post and as you now know, I’ve shared it around town 🙂
~Sherry
xoxo
I understand exactly what you’re talking about. I also thought I was done when God brought else to light and He dealt with that also. I see my healing as an onion where God keeps peeling back layer upon layer until He sees nothing else. I am so thankful that He loves me so much that He doesn’t leave me the way I am but desires me to be white as snow. Continue Your work in me oh Lord I pray. God bless you.
Betty,
I so understand the onion analogy. It really is a great one because there seems to be a lot of tears for me with each layer he peels away, but they’re healing tears in the end.
Have a blessed day as you let him heal you till you’re sparkling clean 🙂
~Sherry
xoxo
Thank you Cherri for sharing these words and your life. I know God can clean me I have the same desire as David. I desire with all my heart that God will clean me and heal me completely. And thank you Lord that you are an amazing God.💙
Charlotte you have a heart that desires Him and He knows it. Keep that pure heart and watch what He’ll do.
Love ya!
~Sherry
xoxo
Hi Sherry, It’s always good to visit your blog. This helps me think about the outcome of fresh smelling clothes. Sometimes the washing process is painful (especially that spin cycle, lol) but the end result is always worth it.
Valerie,
It’s always nice to have you stop by and comment. You’re such an encourager! I’m so glad you got the analogy and it’s speaking to you. Girls seem to be connecting with this post. I guess we all understand laundry 🙂
Have a blessed day. Praying for you!
~Sherry
xoxo
Timely and encouraging! Thank you, Sherry!
You’re so welcome Bethany 🙂 Thanking God that He knows when to put us in the gentle cycle!
Love ya girl,
~Sherry
xoxo
Oh so true. I have been single a year last week. I have needed this time for some serious soul searching, repair, and self-love. I also needed some time to heal and mend my personal relationship with the Lord. I spent so much time blaming him and questioning his path for me and why it included so much hurt. Definitely a work in progress but aren’t we all lol! Thanks for sharing as always Sherry. Visiting from Purposeful Faith. See you on Holley’s tomo!
Deanna,
I love hearing your comments. When I went through divorce it rocked my world. I get questioning God because I did it many times during my first marriage. Thankfully God has broad shoulders that can take our garbage and give us another chance…and another…and…
You’ll get through this better than you were before. I can say that confidently because you’re learning to trust in Him and God is THE ONLY ONE who can heal a heart! When God restores He uses the best materials so you end up stronger and more beautiful. See Isaiah 54:11-12
Love ya!
~Sherry
xoxo
Sherry, this is the real deal.
C.S. Lewis referenced the mercy and grace of God in connection with this: “God knows what a wretched machine you are trying to drive.” Some healing requires much patience.
Michele,
I’m always so glad when you read my posts because I love your comments 🙂
Praying a week full of joy and peace for you.
~Sherry
xoxo
Love this analogy, Sherry, and I too love to ‘get clean’ in many areas in my physical world and with Jesus. Thanks for sharing-glad to have stopped over from #ChasingCommunity
Jill,
Thanks for stopping over and I pray it’s helped you to be ok with the washing 🙂
Praying a week full of joy and peace for you.
~Sherry
xoxo
Perfect analogy. Sometimes a “stain” takes several washes — and sometimes you don’t notice it’s still there until it goes through the dryer. — My washer and dryer sing to me, too. 🙂 Gotta love an appliance that sounds like the ice-cream truck. haha. 🙂
Brenda,
That’s too funny! I never thought about it, but it does kind of sound like an ice-cream truck. Praying a week full of joy and peace for you.
~Sherry
xoxo
Washing machine clean and comparing the times it takes to wash different loads was a beautiful comparison to our needing the cleansing love of our Savior. Thanks for the analogy.
Debbie,
Glad you ‘got it’! Praying a week full of joy and peace for you.
~Sherry
xoxo
Oh, do good! I’ve totally needed that extended wash cycle in my life! Love your word nerdiness!
Liz,
You’re so cute 🙂 That’s such a compliment coming from you!
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo