Steadfast Through PsalmsSample

An Undivided Heart

Ever felt like your heart is out to get you, pulling you in different directions? David understood this feeling. In Psalm 86:11, he prays: “Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”

It sounds as if a civil war rages in David’s heart. This is how I feel lots of days. I give pieces of my heart away to anxious thoughts or worldly distractions.

What pulls at your heart and distracts you from singular devotion to Jesus? If you sincerely look at how you spend your time, it will show you your heart’s devotion.

The book of Jeremiah tells us, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (29:13). To really find God, we need to seek Him with all our heart, not because He is elusive, but because we are so easily distracted by lesser things.

James agrees with Jeremiah: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:8). Did you note the second part of that verse? We often hear only the first part of this verse quoted, and it is a wonderful promise. But look at the second half of the instructions. We are to purify our heart because we are double-minded! Sound familiar?

The phrase translated as “double-minded” is the Greek dipsuchos (dip’-soo-khos), meaning “of two souls of two selves.”The definition goes on to describe a person split in half.

My loyalty is divided as the cares of the world sneak into each day. While some aspects of life on earth must have a place in my mind, I can’t be completely wrapped up in me. I can easily become absorbed in something that won’t matter tomorrow.

Having an undivided heart means we are traveling in one direction. When we draw near to God, we can know that direction is with Him.

Father, teach me Your way that I may walk in Your truth with unwavering steps. Unite my heart to fear Your name only and drown out the call of the world that splits me in two. Help me focus and refocus on things that matter and not be enticed away by trinkets that will only disappoint me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

This plan is presented to you by Steadfast through Psalms by Lauren Mitchell, an Esther Press resource. To learn more about this book, please click here.