Psalm 119:32 — “I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.”
At our recent Missions Conference at Central Baptist Church in Center, Texas, Pastor Matt Hudson preached a message that stirred my soul. His text came from Psalm 119:32, and he challenged every believer to pray the same simple prayer:
“Lord, enlarge my heart.”
He reminded us that missions isn’t just a special project or an emotional season of giving. It’s obedience. It’s running the way of God’s commandments—consistently, joyfully, and wholeheartedly.
The Command That Drives Us
Pastor Hudson pointed out that the Christian life is filled with commandments—not suggestions. God doesn’t invite us to the Great Commission; He commands us to it.
We aren’t told to consider going into all the world but to go. And if we can’t physically go, we’re still commanded to send those who can. Faith Promise Missions is one way that every church member can obey this call. Whether by going, giving, or praying, each of us has a role in fulfilling God’s command to reach the world.
Hudson reminded us that God’s Word is not a buffet line where we pick what we like. When Scripture says, “Go ye into all the world,” it isn’t optional. It’s the heartbeat of obedience.
The Commitment to Keep Running
“I will run the way of thy commandments.”
It’s one thing to say, “Lord, I’ll obey You.” It’s another to run after His will with energy, consistency, and endurance. Pastor Hudson likened it to a race—not a short sprint that lasts for a few weeks of enthusiasm, but a lifelong marathon.
And he made a powerful point: The Christian life is not just a marathon—it’s a relay race. We’re not only called to finish well ourselves but also to hand the baton to the next generation. That’s why missions work is so vital—it’s passing the Gospel on to others who can carry it farther than we ever could.
He shared the story of Cliff Young, a 61-year-old Australian farmer who entered a 544-mile marathon from Melbourne to Sydney. He wore rubber boots, shuffled more than he ran, and looked completely unqualified. Yet while the younger athletes stopped each night to sleep, Cliff just kept shuffling through the darkness. He finished ten hours ahead of the next runner.
Why? Because his heart was strong.
That’s what Pastor Hudson emphasized—we can’t finish our spiritual race if our heart isn’t in shape.
The Condition of the Heart
The psalmist didn’t just promise obedience; he added a condition: “When Thou shalt enlarge my heart.”
We can have all the right intentions, yet fall short if our heart isn’t tender toward God. That’s why some believers make bold commitments one month and fade away the next. Their heart hasn’t been enlarged by God.
Pastor Hudson contrasted Jonah and Jeremiah—two prophets who obeyed outwardly but had very different hearts. Jonah ran reluctantly, preached with bitterness, and ended his ministry sulking under a gourd. Jeremiah, on the other hand, wept over his people. He said, “Mine eye affecteth mine heart.” His compassion drove him to keep serving even when results were small.
That’s what an enlarged heart looks like—it keeps running even when the results aren’t immediate.
Three Ways God Enlarges Our Hearts
Pastor Hudson gave three clear ways that God works to enlarge our hearts:
1. Enlarge My Heart for the Lord
We say we love Jesus, but do we talk to Him daily? Do we open His Word, spend time in prayer, and thank Him for His blessings?
If we truly love someone, we want to be near them. Pastor Hudson reminded us that loving the Lord means staying close to Him—spending time in His presence and letting that love grow stronger every day.
We should be able to say with honesty, “I love Him better every day.” Not just in song, but in action.
2. Enlarge My Heart for My Loved Ones
God also wants to enlarge our hearts toward our families, church members, and friends. Life is short, and we don’t always get a second chance to express love.
Pastor Hudson reminded us to cherish those relationships—to love our spouses, children, and fellow believers deeply. Every person we meet, he said, “is someone my best friend died for.” That simple truth should change the way we treat people.
A church full of believers with enlarged hearts for each other is a powerful testimony to the world.
3. Enlarge My Heart for the Lost
Finally, the preacher called us to see the lost world the way Christ does. We sing “Rescue the Perishing”—but how often do we stop to think about what that really means? Every second, souls step into eternity. Every moment, the mission field grows larger.
When Pastor Hudson was born, the world’s population was around 3.9 billion. Today it’s over 8 billion—double in one lifetime. If the harvest is greater, shouldn’t our compassion be greater too?
He reminded us: “If hell has enlarged itself, then we should ask God to enlarge our hearts.”
Faith Promise Missions isn’t just about money—it’s about compassion. It’s about saying, “God, bless me so that I can bless others who are going to reach those I cannot reach.”
The Secret to Finishing the Race
The message ended where it began—with the prayer, “Lord, enlarge my heart.”
Emotion fades. Feelings shift. But when God does a work deep in the heart, the obedience lasts. That’s what keeps a believer giving, witnessing, and serving long after the conference ends and the missionary slideshows are over.
Hudson compared it to a kind of “spiritual open-heart surgery.” God must stretch us, soften us, and fill us with His compassion. Only then can we truly say, “I will run the way of Thy commandments.”
When Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, he said, “Our heart is enlarged.” That’s the kind of Christianity the world needs today—one with an enlarged heart for God, for His church, and for the lost.
Our Prayer and Promise
As I listened to the message, I couldn’t help but think about my own calling. The path ahead to Ghana, the deputation miles, the faces of people who need the Gospel—all of it comes down to this one prayer:
“Lord, enlarge my heart.”
I want to run my race with joy and endurance. I want to keep the faith, pass the baton, and finish strong. And I know I can only do that when my heart is open for God to work.
Featured Scripture:
“I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.” — Psalm 119:32 KJV
Join the Team
If this message challenged you as it did me, take a moment to pray that God would enlarge your heart for the Great Commission.
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