Enlarge my Heart!

“Make me understand the way of your precepts,
    and I will meditate on your wondrous works…
    strengthen me according to your word!
Put false ways far from me
    and graciously teach me your law!
I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
    I set your rules before me.
I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
    let me not be put to shame!
I will run in the way of your commandments
    when you enlarge my heart!

Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
    and I will keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
    and observe it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
    for I delight in it.
Incline my heart to your testimonies,
    and not to selfish gain!
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
    and give me life in your ways.
Confirm to your servant your promise,
    that you may be feared…

I will keep your law continually,
    forever and ever,
and I shall walk in a wide place,
    for I have sought your precepts.
I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
    and shall not be put to shame,
for I find my delight in your commandments,
    which I love.
I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
    and I will meditate on your statutes.” Psalm 119:27,28b-37,44-48

The psalmist knew the intermingling of Word and heart. The more of God’s word he ingested, cherished, and applied, the stronger and broader his heart grew. The love and exercise of God’s commands pumped righteous blood through his thoughts, impulses, and actions to hearty expression.

Inclining ourselves to the truth and powerful nature of God’s word sets our hearts free from all that’s deleterious and distracting. His law cleanses and sets straight. It reorders affections and imparts new life. It sets free from constricting sin and opens broad places of holy desire, obedience, joy, and peace. It replaces sorrow and the angst of affliction with palpable comfort and a song of hope. (Psalm 119:11,50,54-56,70,93,96,129-130,133)

How deeply do I desire God’s word as daily food and light? What time have I set aside for knowing it better? The focused moments I spend reading, studying, and praying through it indicates the measure of my devotion and dependency. Am I more wont to grab snippets of people’s interpretations and personal insights than seeking the Lord directly through the Bible? Do I limit His influence to certain days or decisions, or open wide my life to all-encompassing influence? How dependent am I on the Holy Spirit to interpret and apply spiritual truths? How far-reaching are its supernatural effects in my emotions, insights, choices, plans? (Job 23:12; Jeremiah 15:16; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16)

A heart crowded by a harem of worldly loves will never know the fullness of God. A heart restricted by selfish passions will never delight in full surrender. But the heart open to God’s truth and all He has in store will be large and full and free indeed. (John 8:32,36; 1 Corinthians 2:9)

Lord, enlarge my heart with all You are and teach so You have full sway with me. May Your word coursing through my veins result in bright display of righteousness, that Your glory be magnified. (Psalm 119:66,68)