Heart Check
REFLECT & RESPOND:
Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. Psalm 86: 11 (ESV)
Teach me your way, Lord, so that I can walk in your truth. Make my heart focused only on honoring your name. Psalm 86: 11 (CEB version)
When you go through a physical exam, one of the first things a doctor examines is the health of your heart. Is it functioning properly? Is it beating right? Are your arteries clear or are there blockages that need to be removed? The quality of our heart will affect the quality of our life.
Here in Psalm 86: 11, we see David giving himself a spiritual heart check-up. It’s almost as if he is asking the Great Physician: “Lord, is my heart still okay?” “Is it still beating properly?”
Two Things to Examine in Your Heart Now:
1. Do I have an Independent Heart or A Dependent Heart?
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An Independent Heart or attitude wanders off and does its own thing. It doesn’t see the need to consult God. Do I have the tendency to do this?
David, despite all his success and fame, was seeking a DEPENDENT heart; A Dependent Heart that wanted to obey God.
David actually asks God “please teach me Your way.” “Teach me HOW to depend on You so that I will always follow You.”
2. Is my Heart United or Divided ?
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It is easy to have faith when you don’t have problems.
But sometimes we can actually be in a church service, reading verses, but our mind is all over the place…Maybe, it’s a relationship that is bothering us, or a situation at work or school, or a financial need.
It is easy for our minds to get distracted and our hearts to get divided. We feel pressure to conform and be popular. To please the world rather than please God.
Application:
As we begin a new week, my prayer is that God will give us Healthy Hearts and a Healthy Spirit.
Lord, Give us A Dependent Heart. We want to depend on You and not just on our own abilities or connections. Teach us Your ways Lord. As we make decisions this week, give us the ability to make proper choices that will please you. Make my heart dependent on You.
Lord, give us also a United Heart. When there are temptations or distractions, let your Holy Spirit come and refocus us. When there is pressure to conform to the world’s ways, direct our heart’s desire ,to simply do what honors You.
In Jesus name, Amen.
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