1 Kings 8:54-66

“That He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, which He commanded our fathers.” (1 Kings 8:58, NKJV)

Where does the desire come from to seek God? What makes us different from those who live for this world? Why do we walk in the ways of God and not in our own way? It is a sovereign work of God. He gives us the inclination to seek Him. He works in us to will and to do according to His good purpose.

And yet there is something else at work.

“I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” (Romans 7:21–23, NKJV)

We have an inner resistance to the things of God. Our flesh rebels against His commandments and sabotages our attempts to pursue holiness. We must adopt Solomon’s prayer and make it our own. Where our sin abounds we need His grace to abound much more. We need Him to change our hearts and incline them to Himself.

“Heavenly Father, today is a new day. Incline our hearts to serve you and keep your commandments. Help us walk in the Spirit and not gratify the desires of our flesh. Thank you for working in us to seek you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”