“O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.”
Psalm 108:1
It’s a matter of righteous resolve.
That’s really what David was saying in today’s Manna when he penned and sang the words “O God, my heart is fixed.” His use of the Hebrew word “kuwn” for “fixed”—which also means “to set up, erect, fix, establish, render sure, fasten firm, etc.”—reveals an intentional, steadfast will that will not run for the hills at the first time of trouble.
And, isn’t that what we need in these days of vacillation and uncertainty?
Most assuredly it is.
The story is told of an elderly gentleman in his 80’s who lived in the northeastern United States where the winters can be pretty harsh at times. One Sunday afternoon one of those feared “Noreasterner blizzards” swept through his community, blanketing the area with over a foot of snow in a few short hours.
That night as time came for the evening service the pastor of the local church figured no one would show up because of the cold, inclement weather.
But, there through the snow came the shuffling-when-he-walked, gray-haired old man.
The pastor was so amazed to see him walk through the door that he hugged his neck and helped him take off his heavy overcoat. As they moved over to the nearby stove, the pastor looked at the genteel gentleman and asked, “Grandpa, what made you decide to come tonight when the weather’s so bad?”
The aging grandfather smiled and replied, “Pastor, I decided over 75 years ago that I’d be here tonight.” Glory!!
Do you see it, Pilgrim? Do you see it?
A “fixed heart” is one that’s “grounded in God’s Grace” and possesses a “righteous resolve” to always “sing of the mercies of the Lord forever and with the mouth make God’s faithfulness known to all generations” (Ps. 89:1). It’s one that awakens every morning. . .not knowing what will happen during the day. . .but always knowing our “sparrow-watching, hair-counting, tear-catching God” knows and will “work all things together for good in our lives because we love Him and are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
We should also note that David added the words “even with my glory” to his statement-of-faith. Simply put, he was saying “And, even during those times when men heap their praise upon me—giving me applause or accolades—I will always remember from Whom my blessings come and be sure to defer all praise and glory to Him.”
Earthly praise can be intoxicating and cause us to feel like “somebody come” if we’re not careful. But, by always “looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2) we’ll always remember the only One Who is worthy of our praise. And, with “sanctified stubbornness” we’ll “offer unto Him the sacrifice of praise by giving the fruit of thanksgiving on the altar of our lips” (Heb. 13:15). Amen and amen.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated September 21, 2010
