"Unite My Heart to Fear Your Name"

Psalm 86:11b "Unite my heart to fear Your Name"

I can't remember a time in my life where I felt so close to one passage of Scripture. It can be difficult looking at a small portions of a verse attempting to find a message in it, but this particular Scripture is loaded with so much. In these 7 words we find two messages. David wanted an undivided heart or to be double minded toward fearing God. He also wanted to respect God with all that he did.

This prayer from David is so easy to relate to as a Christian. None of us want to be double minded toward God, and hopefully we all want to honor (fear, revere, respect) God with our lives. Just to read this passage would cause one to be wowed at David's pursuit of God. But, it's when you consider that Psalm 86 is a lament (plead) to God because so many wanted David killed. It is then when you consider where David was, that you see the awesome power of this prayer, "Unite my heart to fear Your Name."

Above all that David possessed, whether it was his power, kingship, wealth, or status as a great warrior, he loaned to be single minded toward God. He didn't want to be one way with his people and then another way with God. He wanted his whole life to be devoted to pursuing God's truth with a united heart to honor Him.

The success of Christianity in the world is not determined by how well we can be morally. It is so much more than that. The success of Christianity in the world is a condition of individuals hearts. Is my heart united to fear His Name? I sure want it to be! How about you?

100th Article

Psalm 86:11

"Teach me Your way O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your Name. I will give thanks to You, O Lord, my God with my whole heart and glorify Your Name forever."

In the midst of David having real enemies, enemies that wanted him dead, he still maintained a teachable spirit. He prays to God, "Teach me Your way, that I may walk in Your truth." David's pursuit was truth. Truth was the destination David wanted and he knew only God's way would get him there.

All of us regardless of success or struggles need to be teachable. For us to be teachable means we are humbling ourselves and submitting our lives to a Holy God. David was the most powerful, successful, and wealthiest person on the face of the planet yet he understood the importance of God's truth. David didn't ask God to help him with his problems, he asked God to help him find his way to His truth.

Success, What Is It?

Who doesn't want to be successful? Of course everyone does. Sure there are those who choose to be successful at not being successful but there is still effort involved. The obvious answer to the question, "Success, What is It? Is glorifying God.

Head Coach for the New England Patriots, Bill Billecheck, has one banner message up in their entire complex. It reads, "Do Your Job." The Patriots have the most successful team and organization because of the simple fact that there is one goal for everyone. "Do Your Job!" This doesn't mean if Christians do their job God will let them in His Kingdom. It means that for us to be successful for the Kingdom, we must "Do Our Job." And that is to glorify God in all that we do.

A Revelation

This is no new revelation by any stretch. But for me it went from thought to reality. While basking in the Florida sun, listening to everything from Toby Mac to Kari Jobe this thought came to me. "I know what I want to do, but I don't know how to do what I want to do." Now let me clarify so not to confuse anyone who might read this. I have accomplished things I want to do in the past but I can't count how many things I've wanted to do but just couldn't figure out how to make it happen.

The revelation is that I find myself relying more on God than my own strengths. I had become more self relient on the gifts God had given me to serve, instead of the giver of the gifts. So, now I am trying to ask God how to do what He puts on my heart and make sure the thoughts I have in regards to creativity or future planning are truly from Him. The proof is in the pudding, at least that's what I have heard 100's of times growing up in Alabama. The truth is very few people are successful in the gifts and talents God gives us because we just can't accomplish them on our own. God is wanting us to enjoy Him and the process of seeing a good idea to fruition, for His glory and His praise.

Why Not Give it A Try

Both the girls decided to wake up and I thought, "Why not give it a try." Referring to my old blog that has been abandoned by ME. I stay very busy updating the youth blog so it is hard to get here and not just blabber or embed videos of Mark Driscoll or John Piper. So here I am at 1:45AM typing away with my eyes on the nightstand upstairs.

My blog tonight will be short and precise.

God is faithful. Throw any situation, circumstance, drama, horrific event, tragedy, triumph, prosperity, poverty, sickness, health, family, work, school, and millions more and He is still faithful.

Blog you later!

Blake