Psalm 86:11-17
11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
that I may walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart to revere your name.
12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
and I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your steadfast love toward me;
you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
14 O God, the insolent rise up against me;
a band of ruffians seeks my life,
and they do not set you before them.
15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me;
give your strength to your servant;
save the child of your maidservant.
17 Show me a sign of your favor,
so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame,
because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
…give me an undivided heart to revere your name.
I’m a chronic second-guesser. Anything from buying a new lamp for the living room to contemplating a job change sends me into fits of dithering. I come by this honestly. My sweet Mom was a nightmare to shop with because she struggled with every decision.
When I hear the psalmist ask God for the gift of an undivided heart, it gives me a sense of peace. I would love to be one of those people who makes decisions and never looks back. I would even be happy to be one of those people who, after worrying about the decision before me, becomes content with the results. That just doesn’t seem to be how I’m hardwired…
I am, however, firmly devoted to God in Christ Jesus. Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, God has granted me the gift of a strong and steadfast faith and, for that, I am eternally grateful. In the grand scheme of things, that’s the only place where an undivided heart truly matters.
Prayer: Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God who is coming into the world. AMEN