Unite My Heart

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Psalm 86:10–12 (KJV) For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

What it is speaking to me:

Perhaps you already know this, but in the Old Testament when you see the word "fear" used in conjunction with God, like "the fear of the Lord" or as in these verses, it most often doesn't mean "fear" the way we think of the word—as dread, terror, or being scared of something. Most of the time when it is used in conjunction with God, the Hebrew word takes on the idea of serious reverence and awe. So when it says "fear thy name," it's talking about revering God for who He is.

The phrase "unite my heart to fear thy name" seems to imply to me that King David is suffering from a divided heart when it comes to that holy fear. Sometimes it fears, or perhaps in certain areas it fears; but in others, it does not. Perhaps at times it fears men more than God. Perhaps it fears money, or things, or status, or goals, or its own worries more than God.

Perhaps you can identify with David. I know I can.I think that is why I have always appreciated these verses. King David's desire is for an undivided heart—a heart that is wholly focused on revering God, not distracted or divided by the cares and worries of the world around it. That is what he is asking for, praying for.

Perhaps part of the solution for a divided heart is found in the following verse: praise. Glorifying God. Worship can be a powerful balm for a divided heart. When we stop and remember who God actually is, His greatness, His faithfulness, His wondrous works, the things pulling at our heart stop taking our attention. So in reality, praise doesn't just express a united heart; it helps create one.

What is it saying to you?

Is your heart divided right now?

Is there something that causes it to be that way regularly?

What do you do to unite it again? Praise?

What are we going to do about it?

Take just a moment to ask for a united heart. Ask God to show you if your heart is divided about anything and bring it to the Lord. End with some praise!