Psalm 119: Focus On God's Word Pt. 108 Taught By God To Walk In Newness Of Life

Psalm 119:33  HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. 

We learned about the Psalmist's prayer for teaching from God followed by a prayer for understanding. We also saw that he committed himself to keep the statutes of God for the remainder of his life. He committed to observing the law of God with his whole heart. 

Understanding is granted so that we can practice what we learned. 

Psalm 119:34  Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. 

When God gives us understanding, it is good for our heart. We can meditate upon His truth. 

This means thinking about what He teaches us so that we can see its beauty from many points so that we can retain it in our hearts. 

Spending time thinking and reflecting upon God's word brings understanding.

Psalm 119:99  I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. 

Understanding comes from God as He teaches us. As we ask Him for more, He will open our eyes to see the glorious truths in His Word. He will willingly give us understanding when we ask Him to. He will feed our souls with His everlasting nourishment.

God is willing to give us understanding in all His things. 

2 Timothy 2:7  Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. 

Paul encouraged Timothy to seek understanding from God, and we should too. Think about what God is teaching us and ask Him for understanding. He is willing to open hearts to receive His wonderful word (Acts 16:11). 

God wants to open people's eyes to the truth about Jesus Christ and the gospel. He wants to call them from darkness into His glorious light (Acts 26:18, Ephesians 1:17-18).

We must ask God because He is willing. The culture is not our friend and will not help us understand Divine truth. In fact, it can be said concerning the great majority of people that no one understands truth (Romans 3:11). 

Knowledge and understanding are given to us freely by God so that we might put what we know into practice. 

Is He teaching us about prayer? Let us then fervently pray as He is teaching us to do. Is He teaching us about Christian character? Let us put off the evil works of darkness and pursue Christ-likeness. Is He teaching us about purity? Let us set no evil thing before our eyes.

It is good for us to draw near to God.

Psalm 73:28  But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works. 

Drawing near to God is very good for believers in Christ. We draw near to Him in prayer as we seek His teaching and understanding. 

We draw near to Him as we obey and live by the truths He teaches us. We draw near to Him through repentant faith in Jesus Christ. We draw near to Him when we worship in spirit and in truth.

We draw near to Him as we tell others about His glorious works. We draw near to God when we place our full trust in Him. We draw near to Him by learning to take Him at His Word. 

Instruction and understanding to do the will of God.

Matthew 7:21-23  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 

As we study the prayer of the Psalmist to be taught and instructed by God, and to seek wisdom and understanding from God, it is important to remember his commitments to God.

The Psalmist committed to keep or put into practice the statutes of God. He promised to observe the law of God. What he is really committing to is a life of surrender to God and simple obedience.

Consider carefully the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Current polls say that more than 80% of Americans believe in God, but our collective morality indicates otherwise. 

Our nation is filled with depravity and degradation of life. Sexual perversion is promoted as normal. Hatred and violence is widespread. Lying and cheating is endemic. 

Sadly, many churches abandon the standards of God's word and try to be more like the world, instead of separating from it, as God commands.

Of those who profess faith in Christ, Jesus says that not all who profess to know Him actually do. They will claim religious activity, just like the Pharisees did, but their hearts remained unconverted. 

How will Jesus determine those who are truly children of God, from the counterfeits? Those who truly know God are those who do the Father's will. 

This is why the Psalmist insists on being taught by God. This is why he prayed for understanding from God. He wanted to live in accord with God's truth.

God's grace teaches us about godly living.

Titus 2:11-14  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12)  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13)  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14)  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 

The grace of God that we experienced when we were saved by God, and this grace from God teaches us. It teaches us to deny ungodliness in any form and to live soberly and righteously in this world. 

It teaches us to look beyond the trials and troubles of this world, and look with hopeful expectation for the return of Jesus Christ. Why? So that God might purify us and that we might be zealous of good works. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

The Psalmist is carefully teach us some vital truths. 

First, we must ask God to teach us. He wants to teach His children and will not deny this request.

Second, we must ask God to instruct us so that we understand what He is teaching us.

Third, we must not ask for these things just for the sake of gaining knowledge. We must seek these things so that God will use them to change our behavior.

Last, we must commit to putting our faith (what we learn and were taught) into action. We must commit to living for God's glory. 

Bob