A WILLING HEART
I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my
heart.
Psalm 119:32
Rather than an enlarged heart, the Amplified version translates it
as a “heart that is willing.” People may try to be good in their own strength,
but we cannot truly be righteous apart from Jesus. The only way to be right
with God is by placing our trust in the Lord Jesus by faith: “But without faith
it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he
is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6
KJV). Then we ask, where does pursuing His commandments come in? Psalm 119:32,
when seen in the light of the New Testament, is clear. When a person surrenders
his or her life to Jesus, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in them. The Holy
Spirit makes us willing and empowers us to run purposefully after God’s ways. Before
I, Susie, surrendered my life to Jesus, I would trudge through reading a few
verses each day in order to mark the little box on my offering envelope “read
Bible daily”. It was a chore to complete because it was expected of me.
However, now that I know the Lord, I long to know Him more intimately; and
reading His word is something the Holy Spirit has given me a desire to do. He
has made me willing to pursue God’s instruction. Susan, on the other hand, knew
Jesus at an early age but was unable to get into the word without help from
others. When she was finally able to turn the pages of a large print Bible for
herself, she devoured it like one who had been starving. After checking over
her work at school, she would hurry to spend the rest of the time in the Word
of God since it wasn’t against the rules. The Bible was a safe place for her
during times of turmoil.
Father, by Your Holy
Spirit indwelling us, make us willing to pursue Your will and Your ways in Your
word. Give us an insatiable desire to know You more intimately by pouring over
Your love letter to us, the Bible.
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