Longing for the Pure
Apr 25 2023 - Amy Raby
”Your word is very pure, therefore Your servant loves it.”—Psalm 119:140
When was the last time I experienced something pure? Unmodified. Unbiased. Unenhanced. No agenda, real and raw. True and sincere.
My mind wanders to our year in Spain. We visited a mountain-town with a local friend. A small village, maybe less than ten houses. Her great-aunt had a cattle farm. Her dad had a small aged barrel of port. We ate morcilla and eggs. We took a hike through the woods. It was that delicate weather where it’s too cold unless you’re moving.
As we walked and our bodies generated heat, the air felt crisp and refreshing. We came upon a wild water fountain. A small trough where mountain water ran down as an offering to travelers. We drank. Sweet and lively, the untouched mountain water hit my tongue and touched my heart. I was praying for the right moment to share more of the good news with her. We walked past a statue of Mary in a small hut. A mother’s love for her dying Son—my heart was grateful. The most beautiful flurry of snow appeared out of nowhere. We were surrounded by the unadulterated ancient element. I began to speak of the purest unselfish love Jesus offers.
His word is very pure.
Moses, a mountain-man walking in the wild. Wind and stillness in the air. A shrub with roots and stems, dependent on water and dirt. The same compound he would see flow from the Rock. The same earth his sandalless feet would kiss in honor. Fire. Flames dancing through the leaves. Fire of God in front of man. Refining yet unburned. Moses asks, Who do I say sent me? The Voice of God. The most granular sound the universe holds, and the first sound it ever heard. His name said by His voice. Nothing mixed in or added. Just Him existing as He is.
I AM.
His word is very pure.
We so easily find ourselves assaulted with fearful persuasion and falsehood. A world laced with lies of power and beauty, privilege and platforms. The poison of godlessness working its way into blood and bone around every corner and every click. But,
His word is very pure.
His word refreshes with its purity. It cleanses and empowers and lives! Consuming the impurities long been latched to our minds. His refining fire. He calls us out and away. Into the wonderful wild where we might meet Him in simple things like flames and ferns and feet laid bare. He calls us to pure things and pure is reviving. Pure is life. Pure is a fresh wind. Pure like a spring cupped in your hand and the cold against your lips. Pure like clean snow from heaven. Pure like a newborn mother’s smile. Pure like Jesus pouring out His love for us.
His word is very pure.