I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame!
I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!
Psalm 119:30-32

When I come to genuine repentance, to the painful awareness of my own sin and a desire to do better, I come to Jesus, confess what I’ve been doing wrong, and “set His rules before me.”  I really want to do this right, but I still find myself falling back into the old ways.

The old patterns of thinking, feeling, speaking and behaving are comfortable. I’m used to them, they make me feel good (at least temporarily), and the old habits come back to me like a conditioned reflex. I don’t even have to think about them.

I’ve given my testimony; I’ve told people all about how Jesus has changed my heart, but I can so easily make a mockery of the whole thing by doing what comes naturally. “O Lord, let me not be put to shame!” 

After years of this struggle I learn that only God can change my heart. Only He can give me the strength I need to live this new life according to His commands. “I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!”

Lord, enlarge my heart! Holy Spirit, fill me today with the strength, the stamina, I need to run in Your ways!
Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles