I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
The way to be run is God's commandments as the path and rule of life, and running in it means following with eagerness, readiness and effort, pressing forward and upward rather than standing still. The enlarged heart is the heart made strong and free by God, so that the runner can keep His commandments wholeheartedly and without restraint. That enlargement comes as the heart is freed from every evil bias by placing itself fully under God's guidance and belonging to Him, and as Christ is laid hold of for strength and followed in His light. So kept, obedience is not bondage but willing, joyful and loving service that honors God, and it is active advance toward heaven, growing in grace and truth through witnessing, working and praying while walking in the light.
Way and Enlarged Heart
The commandments are the way or path to be followed, the rule of life. To run in that way is to follow with eagerness, readiness, and effort, actively moving forward and upward rather than standing still and doing nothing. That running is an active advancing nearer heaven, growing in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.
The enlarged heart is a heart strengthened by God, and that strengthening enables the person to run freely and wholeheartedly in the way of His commandments. David experienced this, for when his heart was enlarged he could run in the way of the Lord's commandments in willing, active obedience. Each step forward in walking in the light through active effort brings increased strength and energy for obedience.
The heart is enlarged when God's Word and guidance free it from every evil bias. This happens as a person places himself fully under God's guidance and acknowledges that he belongs to Him, which makes obedience possible and accompanies seeking His commandments. The way of the commandments is the whole Christian road, to be traveled faithfully through life's weary pilgrimage until reaching Mount Zion, and the verse is a prayer for God to enable a person to run it.
Willing Joyful Obedience
Keeping the law belongs together with seeking God with the whole heart, receiving understanding from Him, and finding delight in His commandments. God's testimonies are the sure counsel, above even wise human counselors, and His law and Word are the rule of life that defines righteousness and distinguishes right from wrong and truth from error.
Keeping the commandments is a good and free service, not a restriction on liberty, and with an enlarged heart obedience is willing, eager, and joyful, expressing love for God and honoring His name. This obedience is a decided, positive testimony to be borne in features, temper, words, and character, bringing glory to God by showing cheerfulness in His service instead of sadness or complaint.
Walking in the light of Christ and following where He leads gives greater freedom and energy to run in the way of God's commandments. Laying hold of Christ's might enables a person to run in His commandments, and meekness and lowliness in Christ foster love for thoughts of heaven and for obedience.
Active Forward Service
A determined purpose to follow God's commandments is essential for successful service to God. God calls His people to move forward actively in the way of His commandments rather than stand still, calling students in particular to witness for Him and to serve according to His direction. Running in that way is actively advancing nearer heaven, growing in grace and in the knowledge of the truth, and never standing still and doing nothing.
This advance calls God's followers to be alarmed because sin is among them and is not seen to be exceedingly sinful, with senses benumbed by indulgence of appetite and familiarity with sin. Walking in the light through active effort in God's work builds energy for obedience, and each step forward brings increased strength. As people place themselves in right relation to God and follow sound principles, He gives them skill and wisdom and understanding for moving forward and upward rather than standing still.
The feet run by watching for opportunities for labor, taking an active part in the work, and investing the talent of means in it. This running joins the mind to understand how to work, eyes keen to discern God-given opportunities, ears listening for God's commands, and knees bowing three times a day in heartfelt prayer. So to run is to receive from God and to render back to Him what He has lent to be used for His name's glory, and in doing so His blessing rests upon the runner. Refusing to cooperate with God and to make the most of what He has given for the Master leads to loss of soul.
The way to be run is God's commandments as the path and rule of life, and running in it means following with eagerness, readiness and effort, pressing forward and upward rather than standing still. The enlarged heart is the heart made strong and free by God, so that the runner can keep His commandments wholeheartedly and without restraint. That enlargement comes as the heart is freed from every evil bias by placing itself fully under God's guidance and belonging to Him, and as Christ is laid hold of for strength and followed in His light. So kept, obedience is not bondage but willing, joyful and loving service that honors God, and it is active advance toward heaven, growing in grace and truth through witnessing, working and praying while walking in the light.
Way and Enlarged Heart
The commandments are the way or path to be followed, the rule of life. To run in that way is to follow with eagerness, readiness, and effort, actively moving forward and upward rather than standing still and doing nothing. That running is an active advancing nearer heaven, growing in grace and in the knowledge of the truth.
The enlarged heart is a heart strengthened by God, and that strengthening enables the person to run freely and wholeheartedly in the way of His commandments. David experienced this, for when his heart was enlarged he could run in the way of the Lord's commandments in willing, active obedience. Each step forward in walking in the light through active effort brings increased strength and energy for obedience.
The heart is enlarged when God's Word and guidance free it from every evil bias. This happens as a person places himself fully under God's guidance and acknowledges that he belongs to Him, which makes obedience possible and accompanies seeking His commandments. The way of the commandments is the whole Christian road, to be traveled faithfully through life's weary pilgrimage until reaching Mount Zion, and the verse is a prayer for God to enable a person to run it.
Willing Joyful Obedience
Keeping the law belongs together with seeking God with the whole heart, receiving understanding from Him, and finding delight in His commandments. God's testimonies are the sure counsel, above even wise human counselors, and His law and Word are the rule of life that defines righteousness and distinguishes right from wrong and truth from error.
Keeping the commandments is a good and free service, not a restriction on liberty, and with an enlarged heart obedience is willing, eager, and joyful, expressing love for God and honoring His name. This obedience is a decided, positive testimony to be borne in features, temper, words, and character, bringing glory to God by showing cheerfulness in His service instead of sadness or complaint.
Walking in the light of Christ and following where He leads gives greater freedom and energy to run in the way of God's commandments. Laying hold of Christ's might enables a person to run in His commandments, and meekness and lowliness in Christ foster love for thoughts of heaven and for obedience.
Active Forward Service
A determined purpose to follow God's commandments is essential for successful service to God. God calls His people to move forward actively in the way of His commandments rather than stand still, calling students in particular to witness for Him and to serve according to His direction. Running in that way is actively advancing nearer heaven, growing in grace and in the knowledge of the truth, and never standing still and doing nothing.
This advance calls God's followers to be alarmed because sin is among them and is not seen to be exceedingly sinful, with senses benumbed by indulgence of appetite and familiarity with sin. Walking in the light through active effort in God's work builds energy for obedience, and each step forward brings increased strength. As people place themselves in right relation to God and follow sound principles, He gives them skill and wisdom and understanding for moving forward and upward rather than standing still.
The feet run by watching for opportunities for labor, taking an active part in the work, and investing the talent of means in it. This running joins the mind to understand how to work, eyes keen to discern God-given opportunities, ears listening for God's commands, and knees bowing three times a day in heartfelt prayer. So to run is to receive from God and to render back to Him what He has lent to be used for His name's glory, and in doing so His blessing rests upon the runner. Refusing to cooperate with God and to make the most of what He has given for the Master leads to loss of soul.