Vs. 36 — Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness.

Prayer:

Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness. I ask this because I know the sin nature within and its tendencies to covet. I want to be content with what You provide. What You provide for me is fashioned exclusively by You for me, and what You provide for another is fashioned for exclusively for him. Your provisions are for my good, and what you give to another is not. I am sorry for wanting something that You have not fashioned for me, as if I know what is better for me than You do. Incline my heart to look upon Your works for me as perfect and more than sufficient, even delightful. Help me to see and live in the truth that all I need You provide. And Father, although I do not show it often enough, I hate covetousness. I love what You provide. Thank You for providing what I need. Amen.

Charles H. Spurgeon:

The crime of covetousness is common, but very few will confess it; for when a man heaps up gold in his heart the dust of it blows into his eyes, and he cannot see his own fault. Our hearts must have some object of desire, and the only way to keep out worldly gain is to put in its place the testimonies of the Lord. If we are inclined or bent one way, we shall be turned from the other; the negative virtue is most surely attained by making sure of the positive grace which inevitably produces it. (Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). The treasury of David: Psalms 111-119 (Vol. 5, p. 210). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)

John Stephen:

The contrast is most striking. There are the divine testimonies on the one hand, and there is “covetousness” on the other. God stands on one side, the world on the other. The renewed man chooses between the two; he does not require long to think, and God is his choice. (Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). The treasury of David: Psalms 111-119 (Vol. 5, p. 219). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *