Incline My Heart
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
Dear Faith Family,
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in Your ways. Confirm to your servant Your promise, that You may be feared. Turn away the reproach that I dread, for Your rules are good. Behold, I long for Your precepts; in Your righteousness give me life, (Psalm 119:33-40).
It’s that time of year. It has finally warmed up! You know, nineties. Throw in some 60% humidity and at 2:00 this afternoon the “real feel” according to accuweather.com will be a lovely 105 degrees! I hear the yard calling! I think it’s telling me to stay inside.
I confess that I do like working in the yard. There’s always something to do, right? Last Saturday the wind was blowing, and I heard what turned out to be a couple of crepe myrtle trees scraping against the house. Up with the ladder and down with the limbs. How rewarding! But wait. There’s more. A quick glance and the garden tomatoes are calling. Basket out. Tomatoes in. And then there’s the birdbath in need of a refill. And the feeder. And the deck that needs blowing off. And….
What’s the point? Having a yard is not a one and done. It is a purchase complete with process. Ever changing. An almost endless opportunity. Sound familiar? The yard is an illustration of our lives. Salvation isn’t only a transaction. It involves a process of transformation. The gospel is more than a get out of hell free card. It is that very righteousness of Christ that works its way into every facet of our lives.
And so, the Psalmist offers the words of Psalm 119:33-40 as a prayer that the Word of God would wean him from selfish gain and lead him to a Godly heart. Are there some limbs that need trimming? Fruit that needs harvesting? A dry bowl that needs filling? Or some clutter that needs removing?
Let’s start on our knees. Let your eyes and your heart refocus on the words of the psalmist as you offer up his words as a prayer to your God.
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