A united heart the gift of God.
"I will give them one heart." The exiles in Babylon, to whom the text was addressed, had long wandered from God into idolatry. Their heart had not been fixed or united. The promise was fulfilled in their case in this sense—that since their return from captivity they have never lapsed into idolatry.
I. THIS PROMISE IS APPLICABLE TO THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, Oneness of interest and heart in the welfare of a Church on the part of its members is essential to its prosperity.
1. Oneness of heart in brotherly unity is necessary. "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" etc. (Psalms 133:1-3.). To secure this we must exercise mutual forbearance and charity, and cultivate an affectionate regard for each other.
2. Oneness of desire for the prosperity of the work of God is necessary. There is reason to fear that this desire is not very deep on the part of some Church-members, who very often grumble at what others are doing, and do nothing themselves. If we have this desire, we shall take it to God in prayer. We shall "keep not silence, and give him no rest," etc. (Isaiah 62:6, Isaiah 62:7). If we have this desire, it will lead us to personal efforts to attain its fulfilment. To retain this unity of desire we must be prepared to waive personal opinions as to minor methods, keeping the eye steadily fixed upon the grand objects which we are aiming at. Mutual concessions are necessary to abiding unity. In seeking unity in the Church let us trust the promise of the text, and use appropriate means to secure it.
II. THE TEXT IS APPLICABLE TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF PERSONAL CHARACTER. Examples of hearts divided and purposes unsettled are to be found in every province of life—in business, in mental culture, in religion. Yet everywhere the thing is evil. Division is weakness. "The roiling stone gathers no moss." "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." One-heartedness is essential to progress in anything. The men who have attained marked success in any pursuit have followed it steadily and persistently. Concentration is power. "Unity is strength" everywhere and in everything. Let us specify certain characters to whom the text is applicable.
1. To the insincere. There are persons who are not true, whose thoughts and words do not agree, whose appearance and reality are not harmonious. Our text is a promise for them if they will receive it. The man of renewed heart is honest, true. The mere form of godliness, or profession of discipleship to Christ, will avail us nothing. Unless we have the life and power of Christ, the name of Christian will be worse than worthless to us. The genuine Christian is sincere and upright.
2. To those who are endeavouring to "serve God and mammon." It is impossible to be at once devoted to worldly ends and to God. A worldly spirit is incompatible with real religion. The spirit of the world is opposed to the spirit of Christ. One or other must be supreme in us. We cannot yield ourselves to the pursuit of the pleasures, honours, or riches of this world, and to the service of the Lord Jesus at the same time. It is impressible to combine the two things. God promises to give us one heart—a heart undivided and thoroughly fixed upon himself. Are we willing to receive the blessing, and to receive it now?
3. To those who "halt between two opinions." Many are wavering and undecided as to personal religion. They have not resolved to try to combine the service of" God and mammon;" but they have not elected whom they will serve. They have often been religiously impressed, but never decided. They have often felt the supreme importance of religion, but have not yielded to its claims. They are wavering and undecided. They feel without wisely acting. They have religious emotion, but not religious resolution. They procrastinate the great choice till "a more convenient season." They will not take the decisive step. They are not one-hearted. Now, they may obtain a united heart from God. The hesitation which is so injurious and perilous to them would be banished if they would accept God's promise in the text, and decide by his help to serve him. He would "give them one heart," and sufficient strength to perform their resolution. And then they could sing, with David, "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise." Thus the text promises to us unity and thoroughness of heart. Our own weakness we know; and how prone to unsteadiness, change, and division our hearts are. But "God is greater than our heart," and he proffers to us the unity and stability which we need. In the strength of his promise let us pray, "Unite my heart to fear thy Name," and let us consecrate ourselves unreservedly unto him.—W.J.
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