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.
Scripture Insights
David’s enemies were attacking him and threatening his life. He asked God to grant him mercy and save him. David was desperate. Like David, we tend to call out to God in our desperation.
I once complained to my mother about being sick and missing time at work. I was surprised when she said, “Oh, I don’t know that this is so bad.” When I asked what she meant, she said, “When we get on our backs, we tend to look up.” It’s true. In times of desperation, we turn to God. It is in those moments that we see our relationship with God for what it really is. When David turned to God, he saw his own spiritual need and prayed for God to show him how to live according to his will: “Teach me your way, Lord.”
J. D. Walt said, “One simply cannot do the will of God while disregarding the Word of God, for only the Word of God brings us to understand the ways of God.”
David then asked for an “undivided heart,” a heart fully devoted to the Father, not torn by distractions, sin, or self-interest. In Deuteronomy 6:5, God directed Moses to call the people of Israel to have undivided hearts: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Jesus later refers to this as the greatest commandment—undivided love.
Do you live with an inner conflict of being torn between devotion to God and devotion to something else? Are there times when your heart is bent on following God, but other times you are tempted to follow your own desires? I invite you to pray the prayer of David.
Today’s Prayer
Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. (Ps. 86:11)
—Rick Harvey
Lead Pastor, Bethany First Church of the Nazarene (Oklahoma)
