Psalm 119:36
Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain. Psalm 119:36
This verse is so simple and straightforward. It is telling the obvious about the human condition.
“Incline my heart…” The Psalmist is making a statement that my heart needs direction.
“…to your testimonies…” He is pointing his heart in the right direction; away from himself and towards God.
“…and not to selfish gain.” The Psalmist is admitting his guilt of selfishness. He does not say, “when I am selfish” because he knows that the desire for “selfish gain” is rooted deep inside of him.
We must remember that our parents are Adam and Eve; the two that walked with God in the garden, in perfect shalom and still managed to seek “to be like God.” This is part of our DNA, our flesh. Now, as believers, we have been changed but our flesh is still learning to walk in this new, redeemed way. We are being sanctified.
The Psalmist is talking with God about his heart’s endless tendency towards “selfish gain.” The Psalmist is also talking to his heart to remind his heart that it is God’s testimonies only that are going to bridle the heart away from self-will, self-focus, self-protection, self-image, self-esteem, and all things “self.”
Spoiler alert: If “self” precedes any word, you should look very closely for signs of pride.
Reading this verse with the posture of a humble heart makes the words come alive. The problem is my heart, the solution is God’s testimonies, my tendency is selfish gain. That is a correct description of every day of my life. I wake up preaching this to myself and I go to bed reminding myself of this. Come Lord Jesus!
God, make me preach the gospel to myself today. Remind me of Your character and what Your promises are. I have no ability to save myself. I need a savior and Jesus is that for me. Remind me to walk by faith today. “Make me lie down in green pastures” today. Calm my anxiety, keep me away from stress, walk alongside me during the trials of today. You promise to be with me and never leave my side. Amen!
Application Questions:
When anxiety creeps into your day, do you tend to lean towards panic or towards the truth of God’s promises?
Where do you find your heart running toward things culture offers and not the things of God?
Are you selfish? How are you selfish? What are ways that you make yourself the center of your day?
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