The Whole Heart

With my whole heart have I sought thee (Psalm 119:10). Notice how often the psalmist spoke about the whole heart in Psalm 119: “They… that seek him with the whole heart” (v.2); “I shall keep [Your law] with my whole heart” (v.34); “I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart” (v.69); “I cried with my whole heart” (v.145). In seeking God, in observing His law, in crying for His help—each time it is with the whole heart. When we want to make anything a success in worldly affairs, we put our whole heart into it. Is this not much more necessary in the service of the holy God? Is He not worthy? Does His great holiness, and the natural aversion of our hearts from God, not demand it? The whole heart is needed in the service of God when we worship Him in secret. And yet how little most Christians think of this! They do not remember how necessary it is in prayer, in reading God’s Word, in striving to do His will, to say continually, “With my whole heart have I sought thee.” Yes, when we pray, and when we try to understand God’s Word and obey His commands, let us say, “I desire to seek God, to serve Him, and to please Him with my whole heart.” “With my whole heart have I sought thee.” Dear reader, take these words into your heart. Think over them. Pray over them. Speak them out before God until you feel, “I really mean what I say, and I have the assurance that God will hear my prayer.” Say them each morning as you approach God in prayer, “I seek You with my whole heart.” You will soon feel the need of waiting in holy stillness upon God, so that He may take possession of your whole heart, and you will learn to love Him with your whole heart and with all your strength.”

— Andrew Murray