A Heart for the Word

“I will run in the way of your commandments
when you enlarge my heart!” Psalm 119.32

Scripture often speaks of one’s relationship with God and his Word as a walk. In this verse, the psalmist models zeal—an eagerness to obey the Lord quickly and steadfastly—by asserting that he will run in the way of God’s commandments. He also realizes the need for divine aid in this pursuit.

His obedience is wholly dependent on the Lord working in his heart. He makes an unmistakable link between faithful living and God’s work in the heart. The faithful pursuit of God does not begin with human initiative.

God must work in our hearts first. He must give us affections that seek after him. If not for God creating in us a new heart, we would never pursue him. Were God not to give us a heart to run, we would fly to the darkness. Apart from his intervening work, we’re depraved and incapable of pursuing him. But, when he enlarges our hearts, we run after him, eagerly desiring to align our life with his commandments.

Has your heart been changed by God? In what ways does your life demonstrate an eager pursuit of the Lord and his commandments? How do your prayers, your thoughts, your affections, and your actions show the fruit of a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit?

If you struggle to answer those questions, call out to God, begging him to change your heart. Ask him to take away your heart of stone and give you a heart that desires him above all else.

Gracious Father, we are hopeless without you. Enlarge our hearts, O Lord. Give us a deep desire to know you, to know your Word, and to run eagerly after you. Amen.

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