I woke up this morning scattered and unfocused. A million things are vying for my attention – I’m not out of bed and I’m already behind! Work, kids, relationships, budget, the “tyranny of the urgent” are screaming loudly to be heard. I have my cup of coffee but still don’t think straight. I turn to my Bible and pray for a word from the Lord – His is the only voice I need to be hearing at this moment.
In Psalm 86, David is alone, needy, and under attack. He prays to God who is sovereign and in control. He is the God who hears prayers, defeats enemies, and delivers His people. David makes a specific request in v. 11, “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” He will need a united heart in order to overcome his troubles, and he can’t unite his own heart; it is God who will do this work. His heart needs uniting in two ways: united as a whole, not fragmented like broken glass, and united to something bigger and grander, with greater purpose – God. God is David’s only hope when it comes to his heart.
How true this is! How much am I like David? I know my own heart; it is a dangerous place. It is deceitful and desperately sick. Out of the heart comes evil thoughts, such as murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, and slander. It is easily divided between principles and natures and desires. It listens to the wrong voices and travels down dangerous paths. We are reminded to guard our heart and we must look to the Lord to unite our heart as one and to Him. He can tighten, strengthen and fasten the bands of our heart by His grace and love and power of the Spirit in us, as believers and followers of His Son Jesus. Only a united heart is focused and can sustain us in times of trouble.
The Lord is faithful and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love. He is great and does wondrous things. He is merciful and gracious to those who call upon His name. He and His people will be victorious in the end. A united heart that is learning His ways, walking in His truth, and fearing His name is our only hope when we are alone, needy, and under attack, when we are scattered and unfocused and pulled in every direction. Onward and upward into my day I go, setting my mind on things above, asking for a united heart to learn His ways, walk in His truth, and fear His name.
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