Psalm 86:11-12 “Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise the, O Lord my God, with all my heart; and I will glorify thy name forevermore.”
They say it’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind. I am such a woman. I’m often given to shifting opinions. It’s not a steady place. According to James 1:8 “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” Unfortunately, this does not exclude the gentler sex. Split thinking results in uncertainty that can become chaotic. It tips the world, setting others on edge. It upsets the spirit man. I guess that is why this Psalm is so meaningful to me. It shows how to transition from inner conflict to inner confidence.
“Teach me thy way, O Lord…” It’s one thing to find guidance within the pages of a well-written expository, quite another to have the Creator of everything offer His instruction. When God teaches His ways, His information is right. It is life changing. While His law is written within the hearts of man and often leads us through our conscience, His Word provides specific direction. If we take it, it can merge the scattered uncertainties within. Scripture offers clarity because it is God’s manuscript for life.
“Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth...”Having the truth is a wonderful blessing, but it does little if we fail to connect with it. We must turn our will toward the Word. Accept it as right. Choose it. Walk in it.
“...Unite my heart to fear thy name...” A stabilized heart is a pure one. Its conscience is clean. It’s free of clutter and distraction. It is focused. Its focus is on revering and standing in awe of God. A united heart does not hold on to opposites. It clings to what is right, good, and true because it is united by its spiritual purpose of fearing the name of the Lord. A heart that is united is no longer divided between shoulds and coulds. It is no longer twisted, partially looking to God, partially relying on man. It is no longer split between pleasing others or pleasing God. It is simplified by the parameters of the Word of Truth. The truth that takes fragments and solidifies them into wholeness is the Word. It is Truth with a name: Jesus.
“...Unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee…with all my heart…” With singleness of heart, true worship arises. If that unity of heart is the result of God’s Word, then God becomes the object of our worship. We live for Him alone. No other gods dominate our affection. They don’t rob us of our time or means. Our whole heart is connected and committed.
“…and I will glorify thy name forevermore.” A united heart establishes personal, name-knowing, God-interactive relationship. Its influence is eternal.
Amid the disruptions of life, even those maddening mood swings, we can have an unshakable steadiness within, a certainty that comes from keeping the Word of God and trusting in His name. “The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is SURE making wise the simple,” (Psalm 19:7). This confidence is something I definitely want to have. A life that is sold out to God makes me a happier person, realigns me with people with whom I have become out of sorts, and positions me within the favor of God. It adjusts the flip-flopping of feminine prerogative... And tips the world in the right direction for us all.
Tip/Tidbit: What do you feel conflicted about? What are the opposites at war within your heart? Take a minute to settle yourself in God's Word. Let His Spirit soothe your spirit as you take time to completely focus on Him.
They say it’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind. I am such a woman. I’m often given to shifting opinions. It’s not a steady place. According to James 1:8 “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” Unfortunately, this does not exclude the gentler sex. Split thinking results in uncertainty that can become chaotic. It tips the world, setting others on edge. It upsets the spirit man. I guess that is why this Psalm is so meaningful to me. It shows how to transition from inner conflict to inner confidence.
“Teach me thy way, O Lord…” It’s one thing to find guidance within the pages of a well-written expository, quite another to have the Creator of everything offer His instruction. When God teaches His ways, His information is right. It is life changing. While His law is written within the hearts of man and often leads us through our conscience, His Word provides specific direction. If we take it, it can merge the scattered uncertainties within. Scripture offers clarity because it is God’s manuscript for life.
“Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth...”Having the truth is a wonderful blessing, but it does little if we fail to connect with it. We must turn our will toward the Word. Accept it as right. Choose it. Walk in it.
“...Unite my heart to fear thy name...” A stabilized heart is a pure one. Its conscience is clean. It’s free of clutter and distraction. It is focused. Its focus is on revering and standing in awe of God. A united heart does not hold on to opposites. It clings to what is right, good, and true because it is united by its spiritual purpose of fearing the name of the Lord. A heart that is united is no longer divided between shoulds and coulds. It is no longer twisted, partially looking to God, partially relying on man. It is no longer split between pleasing others or pleasing God. It is simplified by the parameters of the Word of Truth. The truth that takes fragments and solidifies them into wholeness is the Word. It is Truth with a name: Jesus.
“...Unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee…with all my heart…” With singleness of heart, true worship arises. If that unity of heart is the result of God’s Word, then God becomes the object of our worship. We live for Him alone. No other gods dominate our affection. They don’t rob us of our time or means. Our whole heart is connected and committed.
“…and I will glorify thy name forevermore.” A united heart establishes personal, name-knowing, God-interactive relationship. Its influence is eternal.
Amid the disruptions of life, even those maddening mood swings, we can have an unshakable steadiness within, a certainty that comes from keeping the Word of God and trusting in His name. “The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is SURE making wise the simple,” (Psalm 19:7). This confidence is something I definitely want to have. A life that is sold out to God makes me a happier person, realigns me with people with whom I have become out of sorts, and positions me within the favor of God. It adjusts the flip-flopping of feminine prerogative... And tips the world in the right direction for us all.
Tip/Tidbit: What do you feel conflicted about? What are the opposites at war within your heart? Take a minute to settle yourself in God's Word. Let His Spirit soothe your spirit as you take time to completely focus on Him.
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