Unite My Heart

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Unite My Heart

When Jesus called us sheep,  He made a very accurate description.     Sheep are afraid of anything different  from another sheep.     They feel protected  within their own flock  of sameness.    A mother ewe is about the only one  that will accept  a black lamb born to her.     The rest of the flock  aggressively avoids  that black lamb.

People are also afraid  of being different  from the people around them  and they do avoid anyone  who is too “different”  from their main group.     They want to become a part of a group  and will do most anything  to remain a part  of that group.

Such a fear  often leads people  into sin.     For example,  if the people at work curse,  take God’s name in vain,  and tell off-color stories,  the fear of being different  will often lead one  to begin doing the same.     Fear can lead a student to cheat  to keep face  or even to purposely do poorly  to remain a part  of their particular group.     An employee may follow a boss’s demand  to be unethical  because he’s afraid  of losing his job.     They all console themselves  by claiming  that everyone’s doing it  and they don’t want  to suffer the consequences  of being different.

Then there are superstitious fears.    A number of athletes are known  to keep some sort of lucky charm  with them  during every game  because of their fear  of losing.     They almost seem proud  of their superstition,  never acknowledging its silliness.

We see fear often leads people  to become  promiscuous,   dress immodestly,  become a bully,  a drunkard,  or a drug user.    The list could go on and on.

The question is,  of what good  are all these fears?    They’re good  for nothing.

That is why David prays  in Psalm 86:11,

Teach me Thy way,  O LORD;  I will walk  in Thy truth;  unite my heart  to fear Thy name.

“Unite my heart…….to fear Thy name.”     What an important prayer  for everyone.     Only a united heart,  a singleness of heart,  can have a decent respect  for our LORD  and His authority  in our lives.

All these earthy fears and superstitions give us  a divided heart.     We see that God is good  and it would be nice  to be good  like God…,  but,  we’re afraid  of what people think.    Really?!    We know God cares  for His children….,  but,  just in case He doesn’t give us  what we want,  we’ll carry a rabbit’s foot  in our pocket.     (Unlucky rabbit.)     We know the wicked  will suffer eternally  in hell….,  but,  we’re afraid  of what they might do to us  if we don’t follow along with them.

All these fears  are a divided heart.     There is only One we need to fear,  respect,  and hold  in total awe.    That is the Lord God Almighty,  our Savior and Redeemer.

When our hearts are solidly united  under this one fear (respect),  we will be strengthened  to live the way  God teaches  in His holy word.     With a united heart  that fears  only our LORD,  we will be open  to His truths  to see all their beauty,  goodness,  and glory.    With a united heart  that fears  only our LORD,  every kind  of sinful behavior and superstition  will become repulsive to us.    What a way to go!    The light’s on.

A united heart becomes strong  to sing God’s praise,  give thanks  in all things,  and glorify God’s name  in all situations.     A united heart is settled  in the free fullness  of our Lord’s lovingkindness.

Jesus put it this way  in Matthew 6:22-23,

The eye  is the lamp  of the body;  so then  if your eye is clear,  your whole body  will be full  of light.     But if your eye is bad,  your whole body  will be full  of darkness.     If then the light  that is in you  is darkness,  how great  is the darkness!

People might think they’re pretty cool and safe  following the crowd  and worldly ways,  but Jesus says  that is a great,  horrible darkness.    Their “coolness” is evil.    Not cool.

The united heart  and single eye  are an honest fear  of the Lord only,  leading to eternal life  in Christ.

On earth,  Christians are black lambs  —  different,  rejected by the world,  but dearly loved  and protected  by our heavenly Father.     So, we say,  “Hallelujah!     LORD,  blessed is Your love  for us!”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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