Unite My Heart, O Lord

(Psalm 86:11)

Mike Johnson

Psalm 86 is a prayer by David while he was facing perilous times.  Despite his circumstances, in the first part of verse 11, he prayed for God to teach him His way, and then, upon learning the Lord’s way, he would walk in His truth.  Then he says (11c), “Unite my heart to fear Your name.”

Many people have divided loyalties, as their hearts may not be entirely into an endeavor.  This type of heart is also found in trying to serve God.  Since God alone is God (10c), the Psalmist did not want a divided heart where he might partially serve God but also serve other gods.  If he did this, he could never walk in God’s truth (11b).  He wanted a life wholly devoted to the Lord, having an undivided heart.

The Bible emphasizes the importance of having a united heart (one heart) without divided loyalties.  For example, Deuteronomy 10:12 asks, “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”  This speaks of a total commitment, which requires us to “walk in all his ways,”  and to “fear,” “love,” and “serve” Him.

Jesus also taught that we must have a united heart.  In Matthew 6:24, He explained, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon.”  (Note also Deut. 6:5; Josh.  24:14-15.) Our devotion to God cannot be half-hearted.

Consider some things that can cause us to have a divided heart.

  1. Love for the World — The Bible tells us we are not to love the world. 1 John 2:15-16 says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world.” Yet, some try to have one foot in the world while serving God.
  2. Wealth — Some are trying to serve God and wealth simultaneously. In the “Parable of the Sower,” those represented by the thorny soil received the Word and produced fruit, but they were drawn away by the “deceitfulness of riches” (Mt. 13:22).  As we have noted, one cannot serve God and riches (  6:24).
  3. Hardships in Life — Some may face an abnormal number of troubles. Examples are dealing with the death and illnesses of loved ones, their health issues, monetary problems, and old age.  Also, persecution may come to people because they stand firm in their convictions.  Again, in the “Parable of the Sower,” the stony soil represents those who hear the Word but are discouraged when persecutions arise (Mt. 13:20-21).

Today, people need to be fully involved in serving God.  Consider the following comments by Adam Clarke.

A divided heart is a great curse; scattered affections are a miserable plague.  When the heart is not at unity with itself, the work of religion cannot go on.  Indecision of mind and division of affections mar any work.  The heart must be one, that the work may be one.  If this be wanting, all is wrong.  This is a prayer which becomes the mouth of every Christian.  (from Adam Clarke’s Commentary, Electronic Database. Biblesoft.)

David prayed for an “undivided heart” (NIV).  He wanted his life to be wholly devoted to the Lord.  Does this describe your heart toward God?