BLOG December 2020

¹¹ 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)

The first time I read verses about an undivided heart, I thought, But God created us with a divided heart! The left side of the heart pumps oxygen rich blood out of the heart through the aorta, delivering oxygen to all body tissues and carrying away carbon dioxide. Oxygen poor blood returns to the right side of the heart and is pumped to the lungs to receive oxygen and drop carbon dioxide. Oxygen rich blood from the lungs returns to the left side of the heart, where it is pumped out of the aorta to all parts of the body.

It is estimated that the average adult body has 6 quarts (5.6 liters) of blood which travels this circuit through the body three times per minute.  The heart has four valves that prevent backflow, change in direction of blood flow, and a septum that separates the left side of the heart from the right side. There is no mixing or oxygen rich and oxygen poor blood like there is in frogs. Frogs have a three chambered heart instead of four, and a partial septum. This requires that frogs use their skin, along with their lungs to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. Anatomically speaking, a divided human heart is perfectly and wonderfully made.

(For more detail, refer to the diagram below.)

So why is David asking God for an undivided heart? David is not talking about anatomy here.  He is asking God to teach him His way, the way that God has appointed him to walk.  David knew that what was good in himself came from outside himself. He knew from past failures that he could not trust his own judgment. He needed to hear from God. So David prayed. He asked God to give him an undivided heart, in order to worship and respect God’s name in total submission.

There have been many times in my life when I have chosen my path over God’s path. I mix what I want with what I know God wants for me. I get impatient, I think I know what is best for me.  I search in my own strength for what I think and believe is right. After all, I am an American! I am independent! I can figure it out!  I do not know what your experience has been. Personally, this way has not worked out well for me. Just when I feel that I have given everything to God, I realize that I am trying to regain control. Sometimes the surrender to God feels like a defeat, but in reality, it is freedom!

Is there anything that divides your heart between the values of this world and what God wants for you?  Pray and ask God. Just as God created the perfect way for blood to circulate throughout your body, He will provide the perfect way for your life.

⁵“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. ⁶In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”  (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)