Psalm 86 Devotional

A Heart Made Whole

“Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.”Psalm 86:11 (BSB)

David prays Psalm 86 as someone poor and needy, asking God to listen and answer (86:1). His confidence rests on who God is. The Lord is good and ready to forgive, and his steadfast love overflows toward everyone who calls to him (86:5). So David prays in the day of trouble, sure of an answer (86:7). No other god compares, and one day every nation God made will worship him (86:8-10).

At the center David asks for something deeper than rescue. He asks God to teach him his way and to unite his heart, so that he will fear God's name (86:11). Then, facing arrogant and ruthless men, he holds up God's character once more. God is full of compassion and grace, patient, and overflowing with faithful love (86:15). That is how God described himself to Moses (Exodus 34:6). David is praying God's own self-description back to him. When your heart is pulled in many directions, you can ask the God who is steady in love to make it whole.

To think about: What is dividing your heart right now, and how could you ask God to make it whole in its devotion to him?