Verse of the Day for July 9

In the middle of this psalm sits a small prayer that most of us need more than we admit: unite my heart to fear thy name.

It assumes a heart can be in pieces. Part of it wants God, part wants approval, part just wants to be left alone. David does not pretend otherwise. He asks for the pieces to be gathered.

Look at what comes before and after. Before it, Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth. He asks to learn and promises to walk. After it, I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart. All of it. A united heart is one that can finally praise without holding anything back.

A divided heart is not healed in one evening. It comes together the way a scattered household comes together, one decision at a time. You choose the truth in one conversation. You choose it again at lunch.

When you are standing in the market deciding whether to tell the trader she gave you too much change, that is the uniting happening. Small, unseen, one choice.

Each honest choice gathers one more piece of you toward God.

You do not need a whole heart before you start, only the next right step.