Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared. Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good. How I long for your precepts! In your righteousness preserve my life.
—Psalms 119:33-40

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He ה: Cause Me To Change
By Jennifer Kane

Cause me to understand Your word,
Let wisdom’s voice within be heard.

Cause me to walk the path You choose,
That in Your steps I will not lose.

Cause my heart to seek what’s right,
To turn from greed and love the Light.

Cause me to stand when trials oppress,
To trust in You and not regress.

Cause me to live, revive my soul,
For in Your ways I am made whole.

Cause my eyes to turn away
From fleeting things that lead astray.

Cause my hands to cling to grace,
To hold Your word in love’s embrace.

Cause me to find salvation’s rest,
In mercy’s arms, forever blessed.

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Scriptures: Psalm 119:33-40

Our natural inclination is to look at the things of this world—its distractions, temptations, and temporary comforts. Yet, as the psalmist prays in Psalm 119:33-40, he asks God to change the direction of his focus, to turn his heart and eyes away from worthless things and toward the eternal truth of God’s word. This is a prayer not only for instruction but for transformation, a plea that God would shape his desires and actions to align with His ways.

The psalmist does not simply ask for knowledge but for God to cause him to learn and obey. He recognizes that without divine help, he cannot remain faithful. This mirrors Philippians 2:13: “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

When we ask God to teach us, we are not just seeking information—we are seeking transformation. He enables us to walk in His ways, not just admire them from a distance. Are we actively asking God to shape our hearts so that we walk in obedience, not just understand His word?

Our hearts are naturally drawn toward things that seem to offer security—wealth, success, approval—but these things often lead to dissatisfaction. The psalmist prays for his heart to be inclined toward God’s word instead of material gain. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Covetousness can take many forms: comparison, greed, an endless pursuit of more. But when we ask God to turn our hearts to His testimonies, we seek contentment in Him alone. Where is your heart drawn? Are you asking God to shape your desires?

We live in an age of endless distractions. Social media, entertainment, and worldly pursuits can pull our eyes—and hearts—away from what truly matters. The psalmist acknowledges this struggle and prays for God’s intervention.

Worthless things are not necessarily evil things, but they hold no eternal value. What we fix our eyes on shapes our hearts. Hebrews 12:2 calls us to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” Instead of allowing our gaze to wander toward temporary distractions, we can ask God to revive us in His way, to renew our focus on what truly gives life.

A revived heart is one that is not only sustained but thrives in righteousness. The psalmist doesn’t just want to know God’s ways—he longs for them, desires them deeply. When we pray for revival, we are asking God to awaken a deeper love for Him in our hearts.

This revival happens in His righteousness, not our own efforts. If we feel spiritually weary, we don’t have to fix ourselves—we can come to the One who breathes life into us.

What are your eyes fixed on? Are there distractions pulling your focus away from God? Pray for Him to turn your eyes toward what is worthy. What is your heart inclined toward? Is your greatest desire for God’s word, or has covetousness crept in? Ask God to realign your desires. Do you long for God’s ways? Ask Him to revive your passion for His word and His righteousness. May we continually pray as the psalmist did—not just for guidance, but for God to change the very direction of our hearts and eyes toward Him.

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My Father, teach me Your ways so that I may walk in them. Turn my heart away from distractions and desires that lead me away from You. Fix my eyes on what is eternal, and revive me in Your righteousness. Cause me to love Your word more than the fleeting things of this world. In Jesus name I ask, amen.

February 16 2025