35. Thou hast made me to love the way; now make me to move in it. This is the cry of a child that longs to walk, but is too feeble; of a pilgrim who is exhausted. We shall not go into the narrow path till we are made to do so by the Maker’s own power. O thou who didst once make me, I pray thee make me again: thou hast made me to know; now make me to go. The psalmist does not ask the Lord to do for him what he ought to do for himself: he wishes himself to go or tread in the path of the command. Grace does not treat us as stones, to be dragged, but as creatures endowed with life, reason, will, and active powers, who are willing and able to do of themselves if once made to do so. The holiness we seek after is not a forced compliance with command, by the indulgence of a whole-hearted passion for goodness, such as shall conform our life to the will of the Lord. Where the heart already finds its joy the feet are sure to follow.
Note that the corresponding verse in the former eight (verse 35) was “Make me to understand,” and here we have “make me to go.” A clear understanding is a great assistance towards practical action.
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