Enlarge My Heart - Psalm 119:32 (4 Min Read)
I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! - Psalm 119:32
Entrenched in the heart and mind of Christians is the hope of heaven. This belief in those whom the Lord has redeemed will never change, no matter what vigorous debate may ensue - we simply will not let loose this hope. This hope is the sentiment seen here. At first glance, one may not notice, but it is here. Here is a man who is vigorous in the pursuit of his religion. He is zealous in chasing after God. Those who know with full assurance that they are going to heaven continually press forward and toward it. They press on toward the goal of heaven (Philippians 3:14) with stamina and fortitude. In holiness, the man or woman of God is resolute; in repentance, they are quick; in forgiveness, they are ready and willing; in obedience, they are striving; in disciplines, they are consistent; in sinning, they are weeping and mortifying; in love, they are free and patient. Those who belong to God make the best use of their time (Ephesians 5:16) by promptness and fervency in their performance of God's will. The Psalmist encompasses all of this when he exclaims, “I will run in the way of your commandments . . .” He will make haste to obey and be quick to avail himself to the Lord and that which pleases him.
However, we mustn't imagine that David believes he will or can do this on his own. He recognizes that his heart is the master of his life (Proverbs 4:23) and that he must follow it insofar as the Lord has directed it (Jeremiah 17:9-10). And he knows that the Lord must change his heart before he may do any running whatsoever. So he prays, essentially saying, “Oh Lord, increase my affections for divine things and arouse me to follow you!” Implied in David’s statement is the fact that man's ability to please God is not possible until the Lord expands and enlarges the heart, and that observance of the law is not merely external robotic works but a willingness of the heart. This willingness is crucial because “grace is not an overwhelming force which compels unwilling minds to move contrary to their will - our running is the spontaneous leaping forward of a mind which has been set free by the hand of God and delights to show its freedom by its bounding speed.”[1] He recognizes that as the Lord enlarges his heart, he must avail himself to the benefits of that enlargement - he must run. The hand of the Lord does not force us into obedience, but by his grace, we are able to obey. Dear saint, pray the Lord will enlarge your heart, as David does, because it is plain that your truest desire is to obey and please Christ. If your desire is that of David’s, then by God’s grace you will continue to run a little longer and a little faster toward the goal of the upward call.
[1] Charles Spurgeon Commentary on Psalm 119:32
