There are two readings for today.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 86
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. [Psalm 86:11]
An undivided heart, a focus on, and love for, God.
For me, a divided heart is when I am focused on things other than living with and for God in this world.
When I am tempted to find greater joy in technology or riches or pleasure or self-indulgence.
God is not opposed to things that bring pleasure, but He wants to be a part of that pleasure, to enjoy them with Him in a proper, healthy way.
Our problem is we put things or pleasures in the place of God; we look to them to satisfy our heart, and inevitably they let us down.
The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! [Matthew 6:22-24]
Jesus changes the part of the body, but says essentially the same thing: if we have a clear focus with our eyes, then everything else will fall into place.
If our eyes are unfocused (like a divided heart), our vision and our whole experience of life will become blurry and confusing, unsatisfying.
Looking away from God (the source of true light and life) brings us into an experience of darkness.
No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. [Matthew 6:24]
Whether money or pleasure or relationships – anything other than a heart devoted to God first – all these things will drive us away from God.
A divided heart, like unfocused eyes, only makes life worse.
But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. [Psalm 86:15]
God is patient, and He not only allows us to learn slowly, but He also intervenes to draw us back to Himself.
God is gently showing me my own divided heart, my own lack of focus, my own experience of darkness and emptiness.
He is not punishing me, He is helping me to get my heart back on track.
He is giving me the words of this prayer – give me an undivided heart!
PRAYER:
Lord, today I am praying this prayer – give me an undivided heart. May it become my heart cry every day!