This week I have been reflecting on Psalm 86 where King David prays to God and asks him to grow him as one of his followers.
Teach me your way, Lord,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name for ever.
For great is your love towards me;
you have delivered me from the depths,
from the realm of the dead.
There are two things that have struck me from this psalm.
The first is the initiative responsibility David seems to be taking for his spiritual grow. He is calling upon the Lord to teach him and to give him an undivided heart. David is then praising and glorifying God for who he is and what he has done.
David takes a real and personal responsibility to grow. He knows he can't bring the growth himself but he asks God to work it in him.
Do you take this same responsibility to grow as a follower of Jesus? Asking God to teach you his ways and to give you and undivided heart?
The second thing that stood out to me was that David was asking God to take all of his heart. He asks God, 'Give me an undivided heart' so that he can'praise you, Lord God, with all my heart'.
David knows that his heart is prone to wander and he wants it to be consumed with love for God. So he asks God to capture his heart.
But what would it look like for God to have all of our heart? How would our lives be reshape if our highest and greatest love was God? How would it change how we sing and serve and what we seek from others?
Why don't you join with me in praying with David?
Lord, teach me your ways that I may rely on your faithfulness. Give me an undivided heartbeat I might fear your name!
Grace & peace,
Andrew
eNews - 15th September 2023