Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11

Any attempt to make comparisons to our great God will fall short. There are no comparing apples to apples or apples to . . . anything. Even the little we can see and comprehend of God is but a mere whisper of His true greatness (Job 26:14).

Within Psalm 86 David declares God’s greatness. God is forgiving, good, and abounding in love. He answers prayer and delivers from the depths of the grave. He is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness. He is our Helper and Comforter. No god or deed can compare with our God. He is the greatest!

And in the midst of David’s praise and declaration is a humble request that what he knows to be true in his head would also be true in his heart. David prayed, “Give me an undivided heart” (v. 11). Every kingdom, house, and heart divided against itself will not stand. No one can serve two masters! (Matthew 12:25, 6:24)

How can we know if our heart is devoted or divided? Here is a sampling of things to ponder and pray:

Test your motives. Think about this week’s to-do list. What moves you to take action? Is it God’s glory or your gain? Is it genuine love or selfish ambition and vain conceit? Father, as we work and serve give us an undivided heart.

Consider how you treat the poor and needy. “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 25:40). Father, let the eyes of our hearts see the overlooked and ignored.

Think about your firsts. What is your first thought in the morning, your first concern when establishing a budget, or your first priority when making plans for the weekend? Father, direct our hearts to You. Be our first love and the center of all we think, say, and do.

Check your attitude. These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word (Isaiah 66:2). Father, forgive and weed out pride and idolatry. A broken and contrite heart, you, God, will not despise (Psalm 51:17).    

Does the truth of God’s greatness reign in your head and in your heart?