Copyright: Smailhodzic
“Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth; unite my heart to fear thy name” (Psalm 86:11).
I chose this verse because I want my whole life to be for Him Who loved me and gave Himself for me — and for Him only. He is the only one worthy to be Master and King of my life.
However, would it not be truthful to say that our hearts are almost always divided? There are so many things we are involved in: home and family, friends, church activities, ministry, school, music, traveling, hobbies, volunteering — the list goes on and on. It is so easy to lose sight of our priorities and idolize trivialities.
We know that God gave us responsibilities we should fulfill, talents we should invest, and opportunities we should use to the fullest. Yet, though we should know better, we soon forget the Giver and submerge ourselves only in the gifts. We fail to remember that without Him, we can have no joy and pleasure — for He is our life.
God has been and is continually teaching me the importance of placing Him first and foremost. For a true child of God, there can be no peace when an idol — however small and innocent it may seem — has been given a place in the heart. Because our Father knows our weaknesses, He has said, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21). I love this poem:
Is there a thing beneath the sun
That strives with Thee my heart to share?
O tear it thence and reign alone,
The Lord of every motion there;
Then shall my heart from earth be free,
When it hath found its all in Thee.Lord, draw my heart from earth away
And make it only know Thy call;
Speak to my inmost soul and say,
“I am thy love, thy God, thine all!”
To feel Thy power, to hear Thy voice,
To taste Thy love, be all my choice.— Gerhard Tersteegen
Though I have often grieved my Lord, it is my prayer that I should walk before Him in all truth and sincerity to please Him as long as He should give me the time.
“Let my heart be fixed for God, and firm and faithful to him, and fervent in serving him; that is a united heart.” — Matthew Henry