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