Make Me Understand

.

Make Me Understand

We are all just frail human beings.      Our understanding of many things  heavily depends  on our various experiences,  opportunities for learning,  and opportunities for comparisons.      Without a doubt,  I am not a physicist,  brain surgeon,  or auto mechanic.      Whatever our field of expertise,  our gift for understanding  is a gift from God.      He alone  is able to enable us  to grow  in various fields of knowledge  and understanding.

We all need to continue growing  in our understanding  of the knowledge base  for our particular jobs.      Even more importantly,  we need to continually grow  in our understanding  of God’s ways for living.      Whatever our occupation on earth,  we all are traveling through this life  —  either on a path of self-destruction  —  or on the path of eternal life.

We all need God’s help  in learning His precepts  for staying on the path  to eternal life.      Psalm 119:25-32  is a prayer  for God’s gift of understanding,  so that we will actually  rightly understand  His word to us  —  instead of stumbling around  with a wrong understanding,  or taking off  with our own worldly misconceptions.      It reads,

My soul cleaves  to the dust;
Revive me  according to Thy word.
I have told of my ways,  and Thou hast answered me;
Teach me Thy statutes.
Make me understand  the way of Thy precepts,
So I will meditate  on Thy wonders.
My soul weeps  because of grief;
Strengthen me  according to Thy word.
Remove the false way  from me,
And graciously grant me  Thy law.
I have chosen  the faithful way;
I have placed  Thine ordinances before me.
I cleave  to Thy testimonies;
O LORD,  do not put me  to shame!
I shall run  the way of Thy commandments,
For Thou wilt  enlarge my heart.

The first thing we see  is humble repentance.      This psalmist is depending  on God alone  to be his guide.      He is studying God’s word  for the strength  and understanding he needs and desires.      He knows God has promised  to strengthen us  in His word,  so he reminds God  of His promise.      This psalmist   is very aware  that there are many false ways  being promoted   in this world,  so he asks for God’s protection  from all falseness.      How much more  we need  to ardently pray  that prayer  every day.

Then he reminds God  of how he is making a concerted effort  to stick to all the truths  of His ways.      Throughout Psalm 119,  he shows  that he is not being legalistic  in wanting  to follow God’s ways,  but wants  to honor the Lord  for the majestic wisdom  of His loving ways  and faithful truthfulness.      The psalmist  is giving  a response of honor,  respect,  and humbleness.

In all of this,  he realizes  that only the LORD  can give us  real understanding.      Understanding  is not something  we conjure up  from our imaginations.      It is something  God will give us  as we faithfully study His word  and sincerely ask for understanding.      We don’t have to have a doctorate degree  to have the kind of understanding  we need.      Even a child  can have the right understanding  of who God is  and who we are  in relationship  to our Creator and Redeemer.      When we understand that,  God is able  to work in our hearts  moment by moment  to guide us in His ways.

As we see God quietly working  in our lives  to strengthen and guide us,  we say,  “Hallelujah!      Lord,  Your word  is eternally holy  and true.      Thank You  for graciously causing us  to grow in Your word  —  and then,  let our testimony to others  be true.”

Love,
Margaret

.

A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

.

.

.

.