March 6

Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.  Psalm 86:11

In just a few words, David writes a profound prayer for divine direction, focus, and undivided attention.  Known as the “compass prayer,” this verse asks God to align a divided heart to His will and to provide clear guidance in a life of faith.  David is asking God for direction and the integrity of his heart.  He makes several requests for divine intervention to cure human propensity to wander off and do their own thing.  

When David writes “Teach me your way, Lord,” he isn’t wanting some facts or a lengthy list of basic information.  He desires far more than that.  David is basically saying, “Show me how you walk, Lord, so that I can walk with you.”  This is an act of submission, recognizing his internal compass is prone to getting it wrong.  David knows that only when he is walking with God will he learn better who God is.  

David’s request for God to give him an undivided heart gets to the “meat/heart” of this verse.  Undivided means to “unite” or “join together.”  The human heart is naturally fragmented, frequently getting pulled in many different directions.  There are competing loyalties and desires waging war for the heart.  The human heart often feels torn and unsure of where or to whom to commit.  Perhaps you can relate to a heart being pulled in many directions, and seemingly endless things competing for the attention of your heart.  

David is asking God to take the pieces of his scattered and torn heart and knit them together into a focused and powerful heart rather than it remaining a weak and divided heart.  David understands that if his heart is divided (split) - half on God and then other half on his own interests and desires - he will never be able to truly worship and fear God's name.  What has the attention of your heart?  Where are you feeling pulled and torn?  What does submission look like that will allow God to knit those scattered and torn pieces of your heart into an undivided heart focused on Him? 

Father - Life is busy, and it can be hectic and chaotic.  So many things compete for the attention of my heart and pull me in all directions.  Help me to slow down.  Help me to focus on You and Your Word.  As the Master Potter, take the pieces of my heart and mold them into a strong and powerful heart focused on You and Your will. Fix my heart - and eyes - on You.  Thank You for loving me.  Thank You for Your Son.  In Your name we pray.  Amen