Teach me your way, O God, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name. I give thanks to you, O God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.  Psalms 86:11-12

The entire country is awash in Harry Potter fever right now. The final film, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two,” opened in theaters on July 15th. I have to admit that I am one of the people caught up in the fever. During this grand saga Harry comes to learn that he has traits or abilities in common with his arch nemeses Voldemort. As a result of learning this Harry talks with Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You see, Harry questions whether the ‘sorting hat’ should have really placed him in the House of Slytherin, which was Voldemort’s house, rather than the House of Gryffindor. Dumbledore asks Harry what he did when it seemed as if he was going to be placed in the House of Slytherin. He tells Dumbledore that he asked not to be placed there. Dumbledore replies, “Exactly! It is not our abilities that show what we truly are – it is our choices.” What a wonderful message to all the young people (and not so young) who love Harry Potter. What a centuries old message it is as well.

King David of Israel knew, as well or better than any person in the Bible, about the consequences of choices. He was the beloved of God, a poet, musician, and a great leader. David though, as a result of a disastrous series of choices, commits adultery with Bathsheba and then gives an order which results in the death of Bathsheba’s husband. Many of the Psalms, like the one quoted here, are credited to have been written by David, and reflect not only his abject repentance, but his unceasing plea to have God change and cleanse his heart – to give him an undivided heart.

Just as important though as knowing that our actions have consequences is to know that God loves us with a steadfast love. The words ‘steadfast love’ appear over 100 times in the Book of Psalms alone. Steadfast love is unfaltering, unswerving, unwavering love.