Incline My Heart

"Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness." Psalm 119:36

The word "incline" here has a meaning of "to bend," or "to extend." One version says, "Let my heart be turned to your unchanging word, and not to evil desire." Here, it seems the Psalmist is asking God to bend or turn his heart toward the His Word and not unto the covetous practices of the world. What a prayer and what a response God will give if we really mean it. We must stay in His Word in order to keep from the covetous practices and philosophies of the world otherwise our faith will falter and become as the man whose heart becomes withered as said in Psalm 14:1, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." Here, this "fool" has come to the place that he he become so discouraged by the triumphing of the wicked and covetous that he finally throws up his hands and says,, "There is no use."

When we look at the condition of the world itself, there is plenty to be discouraged about. Just watching the headlines each day and the direction our country is heading will give any God fearing person cause to be discouraged. The world is heading for the final judgment and is moving faster and faster each day. As our nation seems to continue to go farther and farther into the depths of sin and rebellion at an alarming rate, anyone that knows the scriptures and is faithful to the God of heaven and his Son can see that judgment is coming. However, this is not the time to back off on God and say there is no use. We are in times that men have prophesied about thousands of years before and if we trust in the living God and keep his Word, he can incline our hearts in the right direction. We sing, "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Ps 118:24 That is because God has placed you and I in this time for a reason. Even though you and I may not fully understand, he has put you in this time of history for his purpose. Sometimes we get discouraged because we see some making great strides in the things of God as it seems, or in other areas that we are working in but understand this, we don't know everything that is happening. For God knows the secret things: "He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him." Daniel 2:22 Also,," for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7b Another words, God sees your labor of love and if you are doing it with the love of God and man in our heart, you will be rewarded.

Look further and see how God even sees when we talk about Him in truth. "Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." Malachi 3:16-17 You may not fully understand why you are going through what you're going through, but God knows. Keep your faith in Him and let him incline your heart unto his Word for obedience, trust, and faith.