"Undivided Heart"

Scripture: Psalm 86:11
Teach me your way, Lord,
That I may rely on your faithfulness;
Give me an undivided heart,
That I may fear your name.

Observation:
This is a prayer of David-- a cry out for God in the midst of struggle, and a word of praise through his pain.  This context provides us an understanding of why we might cry out these same words to God.

"Teach me" sounds academic to me.  It sounds like a brain thing.  It sounds like it's referring to rational understanding.  But as we read on through the verse, we learn that it's not "head knowledge" that David is referring to here.  He is begging God not only to show him the right path to take but inviting the spirit of God to direct his heart and lead him down that path.

And then he goes on to ask God for an undivided heart.  I know what he's talking about here.  I feel the tear of a divided heart every day.  Paul described this feeling in Romans 7:15 saying, "I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."  This divided heart is such a struggle.  War is being waged constantly within us.  Our flesh, our worldly desires, our human instinct rebels against God.  But our hearts, created in the image of God, long for His way.  

When I was a little girl, we would sing a song before bedtime each night.  One of our very favorites was "Light the Fire." It's been a long time since I've sang that song, but the this verse reminded me of those lyrics:

I stand to praise You,
But I fall to my knees.
My spirit is willing,
But my flesh is so weak.
Light the fire
In my soul,
Fan the flame,
Make me whole.
Lord, You know
Just where I've been,
So light the fire in my heart again.

Application:
In Jeremiah 32:39, God promises to "give them singleness of heart and action."  That's what I want!  I want the desire of my heart to be God's will such that his Holy Spirit directs my action.  Lord give me an undivided heart!  Unite YOUR will with MY actions!

In order to know how to apply this verse in our own lives, we need to look at the posture David is taking here.  This is a prayer of surrender.  David is turning over his whole heart to God… not just the part that is easy to surrender.  He's giving Him his rebellious heart.

I need to take a lesson from David here and just surrender.  God wants my whole heart.  He wants to give me an undivided heart… one that is surrendered completely to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  He wants me to rely completely on his faithfulness.  And "he who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23).  God is a promise keeper!

Prayer:
God, you are holy!  Your ways are amazing!  I want your way for my life.  But God, I need you to give me an undivided heart that is set on your ways.  I am weak and I so often let my rebellious heart lead my actions.  I want a heart that is wholly set on you!  Transform me.  Teach me… but not just in my head… direct my heart.  In Jesus' name!  Amen!

Confident in this…
Miranda