My Heart Was Hot Within Me, While I Was Musing the Fire Burned
The more we strive to obey God and exercise patience, the more vigorously we are assailed by temptation.
John Calvin preaches on the intense internal struggle depicted in Psalms 39:3, where the psalmist's heart burns within him while contemplating. He highlights the correlation between striving to obey God and facing increased temptation from Satan, emphasizing that the fiercest battles are reserved for those dedicated to God. Calvin encourages believers to draw strength from David's example, reminding them not to succumb to despair when faced with intense emotions and opposition from the flesh while seeking to devote themselves to God.
Text
My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue, --Psalm 39:3
Devotional:
"My heart became hot within me." He now illustrates the greatness of his grief by the introduction of a simile, telling us that his sorrow, being internally suppressed, became so much the more inflamed, until the ardent passion of his soul continued to increase in strength.
From this we may learn the very profitable lesson that the more strenuously anyone sets himself to obey God, and employs all his endeavors to attain the exercise of patience, the more vigorously he is assailed by temptation; for Satan, while he is not so troublesome to the indifferent and careless, and seldom looks near them, displays all his forces in hostile array against that individual.
If, therefore, at any time we feel ardent emotions struggling and raising a commotion in our breasts, we should call to remembrance this conflict of David, that our courage may not fail us, or at least that our infirmity may not drive us headlong to despair.
If the godly who desire to lift up their hearts to God would resign themselves to the vain imaginations which arise in their minds, they might enjoy a sort of unrestrained liberty to indulge in every fancy; but because they endeavor to resist their influence, and seek to devote themselves to God, obstructions which arise from the opposition of the flesh begin to trouble them.
Whenever, therefore, the flesh shall put forth its efforts, and shall kindle a fire in our hearts, let us know that we are exercised with the same kind of temptation which occasioned so much pain and trouble to David. --Commentaries
Sermon Outline
- I. The Greatness of David's Grief
- A. Illustrated by a simile: 'My heart became hot within me'
- B. The more strenuously we obey God, the more vigorously we are assailed by temptation
- II. The Conflict of David
- A. A reminder to call to remembrance this conflict to maintain courage
- B. A warning not to drive ourselves to despair in times of infirmity
- III. The Struggle of the Godly
- A. The flesh opposes our devotion to God
- B. We must resist the influence of vain imaginations to maintain our liberty
Key Quotes
“My heart became hot within me.” — John Calvin
“The more strenuously anyone sets himself to obey God, and employs all his endeavors to attain the exercise of patience, the more vigorously he is assailed by temptation;” — John Calvin
“Whenever, therefore, the flesh shall put forth its efforts, and shall kindle a fire in our hearts, let us know that we are exercised with the same kind of temptation which occasioned so much pain and trouble to David.” — John Calvin
Application Points
- When you feel ardent emotions struggling in your heart, remember the conflict of David to maintain your courage.
- Resist the influence of vain imaginations to maintain your liberty and devotion to God.
- Recognize that the flesh opposes your devotion to God and causes obstructions that trouble you.