Gems from the Psalms (6)

God be in my heart

Neville Turley

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight.  O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.  Psalm 19:14 (ESV)

Our verse for the day is often used as a prayer by preachers before beginning their sermon.  It is a plea from the heart that their words and thoughts will find favour with God.

This gem of a prayer should not be limited to the pulpits but be an integral part of every Christian’s armoury.  The psalmist is asking God to find his words and thoughts acceptable.  Our Lord Jesus Christ stressed over and over again that it is what’s on the heart and mind of a person that really matters.  God does not tolerate duplicity.  One cannot think one thing and say another.

In one of his many chidings to the Pharisees our Lord Jesus Christ said, “You Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.  You fools!  Did not he who made the outside make the inside also.”  Luke 11:39-40.

If the words of one’s mouth are to be acceptable to God, one’s heart needs to be right with God too.  Zechariah, the prophet, warned that we should not think evil of each other in our hearts.  (Zechariah 7:10)

We can all try to follow Zechariah’s advice but despite our best intentions we will not succeed on our own merits.  Like the psalmist, we need help from God.

We need the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts and minds for his purpose and to his glory.  Then, and only then, will our hearts be right with God and the words of our mouth acceptable to him.

Prayer: Almighty God, grant that our witness to others find favour in your sight through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns supreme, now and forever.  Amen