March 28, 2023
When Jesus was asked which was the most important commandment, He replied with no hesitation: "Love the Lord Your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind." (Matthew 22:37). This first and greatest commandment was given to remind us that what we love we worship. What we love, we serve. And it is fascinating to notice the "all" of this command. There is no room for divided affections.
The Psalmist knew this and prayed for a united heart.
Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name. I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and will glorify Your name forever. (Psalm 86:11-12)
He asked the Lord to teach him His ways. He wanted to understand the path that the Lord had for him but also the ways of God, i.e., how God operates. Such knowledge would help him love and follow the Lord fully.
ALL MY HEART
The Psalmist asked for a united, singular affection to follow God. The heart is the seat of our affections. It’s the emotional source from which everything springs. He asked God to bring each part of his affections together so that he would be laser-focused on the one true God. That there would be no other idols. No sideways energy.
ALL THE TIME
He further asked God to help him glorify God’s name “forever.” No momentary affection would do. The Psalmist wanted salvation from the on-again-off-again spiritual life. "All my heart, all the time," was his plea. And it should be ours.
It would be wise to ask ourselves today, “Do I love Jesus with “all” or merely “some” of my heart? What do I choose over Him? What do I love more than Him?” Who are the worldly idols that tend to gain my time and attention?
And do I love Him all the time? Are there hours of the days and days of the year that I am oblivious to God? Seeking my own agenda?
Spend time letting God search your heart to reveal any wayward affections. And also, ask Him to show you the times when you are most vulnerable to the Enemy’s attacks. What are the moments when you are most prone to wander, and how should you prepare yourself for those temptations?
As the Spirit reveals these sideways affections, pray the prayer of the Psalmist: “Unite my heart to fear Your name … to glorify Your name forever.”
All my heart, all the time.
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