Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, O LORD,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.

A divided heart is a major problem, and it probably applies to most of mankind. It is said that the true key to genius is not intellect, but focus. What marks this prayer as that of a disciple is the reason David wants an undivided heart: he wants to be able to focus on God with true reverence. God honors that sort of prayer! David commits himself to walk in God’s way even before he is sure what it is. There too we see a true disciple. David’s failures as a husband and father hover in the background in any discussion of his faith, reminding us that disciples aren’t perfect, but that should also be encouragement that you don’t have to be perfect to be a disciple!

Focus has certainly been an issue in my life. As a child I was noted for being able to focus to the point of shutting out everything else, but that seems to have gotten lost somewhere along the way. The ability to focus on tasks, while useful, is minor compared to a life focus on God. My prayer is indeed that of David, that my heart would not be divided, but fully devoted to God. There are a multitude of distractions, so this isn’t something I can take lightly.

Father, You know my weakness even better than I do. Thank You that Your grace is sufficient for me, in this as in every other area. May I not take that grace lightly, but fear You rightly with an undivided heart, just as David prayed, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!