In what ways can you seek God's help to follow His commandments? The Verse in Focus “I run in the path of Your commandments, for You will enlarge my heart.” (Psalm 119:32) An Enlarged Heart: God’s Promise of Capacity • “Enlarge” pictures God giving you a bigger, stronger spiritual heart—greater desire, stamina, and joy for obedience. • The verb is active on God’s side; He does the enlarging. Our part is to run. • Psalm 119:36 echoes the idea: “Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain.” God must first incline the heart before the feet can run. Inviting God’s Help: Core Practices • Daily prayer for insight and power – Psalm 119:34 “Give me understanding, that I may obey Your law.” – James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God… and it will be given.” • Ongoing intake of Scripture – Joshua 1:8 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth… then you will prosper.” – 2 Timothy 3:16–17 “All Scripture is God-breathed… so that the man of God may be fully equipped.” • Dependence on the Holy Spirit – Ezekiel 36:26–27 promises a new heart and Spirit “to walk in My statutes.” – John 14:26 “The Helper, the Holy Spirit… will teach you all things.” • Quick confession and repentance – Psalm 119:59 “I considered my ways and turned my feet to Your testimonies.” – 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive.” • Fellowship with obedient believers – Hebrews 10:24–25 urges mutual encouragement “all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Practical Steps You Can Take Today 1. Begin the day with Psalm 119:32, asking God to enlarge your heart before your feet hit the floor. 2. Read a short passage aloud, then personalize it into prayer (e.g., turn Psalm 119:35 into “Make me walk in the path of Your commandments”). 3. Memorize one command of Christ each week (Matthew 28:20). 4. When tempted, quote a stored verse (Psalm 119:11). Obedience flows from a stocked heart. 5. Schedule a weekly check-in with a trusted believer to share victories and struggles. 6. End each day with a brief heart audit: Where did I run freely? Where did I lag? Confess, receive cleansing, rest. Encouraging Promises to Fuel Your Run • Philippians 2:13 “For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.” • Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” • Galatians 5:16 “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” • Psalm 19:13 “Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.” • Jude 24 “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling…” The Takeaway God never commands without enabling. Psalm 119:32 shows the partnership: you choose to run, and He expands your heart’s capacity. Ask, trust, and step forward—He supplies the enlargement every time. |
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