Psalm 119 Fifteenth Octave
When my sons were kids I occasionally asked them to do certain tasks around the house. As a good mother I would check the quality of their work. Many times, as you can imagine, their performance was only half-hearted. Their goal was not a job well-done but the completion of the chore. This fifteenth octave of Psalm 119 speaks of being double-minded or half-hearted and the writer hates that attitude. Strong language; let’s see why he used it.
We’ve seen throughout this Psalm that God’s Word is a vital component to faith and we can trust Him as He’s revealed throughout. When we’re double-minded or half-hearted we aren’t strong; we’re divided and will eventually fall.
If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. (Mark 3:25 ESV)
Elijah the prophet participated in a showdown between God and Baal, a foreign god. The Israelites had become double-minded and God required them to pick a side. Elijah asked, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent. (1 Kings 18:21 NLT)
That question can still be asked today. How long will we limp through life trying to follow the world’s ways and God’s ways? They don’t mix. You can’t be double-minded and victorious in life. God desires an undivided heart and He’s willing to prove Himself true.
Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. (James 1:6b, 8 NLT)
The Psalmist declared his faith and trust (vs. 114) but also learned to resist the devil (vs. 115). That power belongs to us as well. Read through this section and see for yourself all the promises that belong to a believer. Don’t have the twin-like heart of Thomas (Didymus) who wavered between faith and doubt at Jesus’ resurrection. Choose your side and stand in faith as Thomas finally did, making the same declaration: my Lord and my God.
Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. (James 4:5-8 NLT)
This week if you’re confronted with two choices: fear or trust, joy or anger, peace or anxiety, faith or unbelief: choose zoe (life), wholehearted kingdom living.
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