Vol. 17 No. 45 | November 9, 2015
Psalm 108 begins with, “My heart is steadfast, O God;” My response: “No. It is not!”
How can I say my heart is steadfast? Steadfast means, “resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering.” That is not my heart.
My heart is far from “resolutely firm.” My heart wavers constantly. Oh, sure there is a part of my heart that constantly longs to know God and express my love for Him. But, that longing is easily distracted by life’s demands, life’s problems, life’s temptations, life’s struggles, and life’s pleasures. How easy it is to say “I love You, Lord” one moment and in the next moment express something completely different.
The heart regarded as the center of a person’s thoughts and emotions, especially love or compassion. How can I say my heart is steadfast? Oh sure, my heart’s desire is to love people, all people and help them know and understand the love the Father has for them, but how quickly I forget to, or choose not to, express that love to the person who has annoyed me, interrupted me, criticized me, betrayed me, or simply ignored me. How quickly I fail to show compassion to the person who disagrees with my point of view or disappoints me.
My heart is far from dutifully firm. Oh, I dutifully obey the rules. I dutifully fulfill my expected role(s). I dutifully perform my assigned tasks. I dutifully keep my commitments. But my heart seems far from dutifully firm. Another person’s actions or lack of action can result in a heart that easily gets discouraged.
My heart is far from unwavering. Oh, I have my moments or seasons when my heart stays constantly focused where it should be…seeking the Lord. And there are times when though my heart suddenly veers off track due to some unexpected interruption or some intentional departure of my own. But, to be unwavering consistently enough where I could say, “My heart is unwavering” is a stretch.
When I read the words of the Psalmist I am a bit envious and at times disappointed in my resolve because must admit that I do not always “sing and make music with all my soul.” I do not always “praise you, Lord, among the nations.” Or “sing of you among the peoples.”
But then I read verse 4: “For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” And verse 11: “Is it not you, God, you who have rejected us.”And verse 13: “With God we will gain the victory.”
After the complete reading I understand better than even though my heart is not always “steadfast,” the Lord is steady. When I am wavering He is fighting with me and for me. When I am not dutifully firm, God is solid and standing with me and for me and will help me stand firm.
The only excuse I have for not having a steadfast heart is my weakness as a human being. The only hope I have for ever having a steadfast heart is You, O God, who will “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.” And who will ‘“Save us and help us with your right hand.”
I long for my heart to be steadfast, O God.
Tom
A Norvell Note © Copyright 2015. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.