“Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.” Psalm 119:36-37 (Read Psalm 119:33-40)
If only I had this! If only I could see that! And we never seem to be satisfied with what God has given us.
In our foolishness, we think that we will find some sort of happiness or fulfillment in the worthless stuff of this world. Whether it be new cars, stylish clothes, the latest movies, plenty of time for our favorite sports and recreation, or even the guy or girl of our dreams; yet these things will provide no lasting happiness or fulfillment. And, often, our preoccupation with these things keeps us from what is really important in life — from true fulfillment and happiness!
For this reason, the psalmist prays: “Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.”
And this is a prayer we all ought to pray often and regularly. We pray, “O LORD God, give me a desire to hear and learn Your Word, and to live according to it. Keep me from the empty distractions and passing amusements of this world and make me alive in Your way!” Instead of coveting and desiring the things of this world, we pray that God would draw us into His Word and teach us of Him and His ways.
St. Paul, writing to Timothy, said: “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:14-17).
Through the Scriptures, God the Holy Spirit reveals to us our utter sinfulness; but He also reveals and promises to us forgiveness and life through faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and His atoning sacrifice on the cross. And, through the Scriptures, God teaches us of His will and His ways that we might walk in them as His dear children through faith in Christ Jesus.
O LORD God, “Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.” Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]