Teach me Your way, O Lord, I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. Psalms 86:11 (NKJV)
The phrase “unite my heart to fear Your name” has been rolling around in my heart and mind this week. As we grow closer to this Easter Sunday, I am so aware of my shortcomings in this area. I’ve asked the Lord, “what does it mean to have a united heart?” David’s prayer for his own heart must have come from a realization that he had some divisions as well. For me, a united heart means I am walking as a surrendered follower of Jesus Christ in every way, not something I have achieved!
Why should it even matter if we have a united heart? Amos declares: Can two walk together lest they be agreed? (Amos 3:3 (NKJV) I think it is the same with the need to have unity in our own heart. If we are double-minded in our intention to walk with the Lord, we will not have the peace He promises. Our flesh fights against the Spirit. It struggles to be in charge, at least in my own life! Compartmentalizing our life into different sections does not work. Imagine a lamp with sections blacked out—it wouldn’t be very useful, would it? That is how I imagine my life when areas are not submitted to Him and His ways. It hinders His light from shining forth through us. Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. I think uniting our heart is deciding to choose to let Him be Lord of our life in every area.
The wonderful thing about the Holy Spirit, is that He is constantly working to bring us into unity. Every time we feel His conviction, it is His reminder that we need to repent, turn around and go His way. But that often points out areas where we might not trust His way is better than our ways. Proverbs 12:15 says: The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel. Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart. I see my own faults and shortcomings and it is often challenging and humbling to admit God does too!
The struggle is real, but also the help. As we seek Him, He shows up and gives us the grace, mercy and strength to follow Him. Remember, Paul’s encouragement to the Philippians: and I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Phil 1:6 NLT) For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Phil: 2:13 (NLT) We aren’t on our own in this. We make the choice to allow His Lordship to rule in our hearts and He will help us do the rest. It is not easy, but it is doable and so worth it.
Father, I thank you for Your grace, mercy and strength. I thank You for reminding us of Your best interest for us, is our best choice. Teach us how to walk with a unified heart, In Jesus’ Name. Amen
Faith Encounters 