“Teach me, O Lord, to follow Your decrees; then I will keep them to the end.” -Psalm 119:33

A scholar wants to know all his professor knows; an apprentice studies the ways of the one he works for. Yet in order to be teachable in God’s schoolroom, humility precedes learning. God will not impress His deeper truths on our hearts if we are not seeking, willing to submit no matter the costs. The difference in head knowledge and wisdom by faith is a confident peace which God blesses only His children. Atheists may read the Bible from cover to cover and have the capacity to answer every trivia question. But if the heart is unchanged then sadly the unrepentant merely scratch the surface of God’s storehouse. The psalmist knows this here, praying to learn from God as his Teacher and Master, persevering on the straight and narrow path.

“Give me understanding, and I will keep Your law and obey it with all my heart.” -Psalm 119:34

The same request is given here as in verse 33. Faith is practical and active which is why the psalmist uses language like “keep”, “follow” and “obey”. He also sees the necessity for the Lord to grow his faith with more understanding, asking God to “give” and “teach”. Verses 33 and 34 are similar but different. Verse 34 reaches deeper in asking for understanding. It is one thing to be taught and retain head knowledge. To understand what we’ve been taught shows maturity as we begin to meditate on God’s commands. Finally what we do with the truths we have heard, then studied, is where our faith grow feet. Submitting to God requires a response of obedience that develops into habits of holiness over a lifetime. But it first starts with a heart change or else our actions are nothing more than legalistic/salvation by works. This is a work of grace only God can accomplish which is why the psalmist prays in this specific order. Teach me; bless me with understanding for wisdom and discernment; then help me obey what I have learned. These verses are evidence of God at work in the psalmist. When we can pray for instruction because we desire faithful obedience, rest assured God is cultivating the fruit of your heart. 

Grace upon grace,

April 

“Teach me, O Lord, to follow Your decrees; then I will keep them to the end.

Give me understanding, and I will keep Your law and obey it with all my heart.

Direct me in the path of Your commands, for there I find delight. 

Turn my heart toward Your statutes and not toward selfish gain.

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to Your Word.

Fulfill Your promise to Your servant, so that You may be feared. 

Take away the disgrace I dread, for Your laws are good.

How I long for Your precepts! Preserve my life in Your righteousness.”

Psalm 119:33-40 (He)

Psalm 119 is itself a prayer. Each octave can stand alone as prayers. But even a singular verse serves as a prayer lifted up before the Throne of Grace. Personally prayer-verses are easier for me to remember than whole sections at a time. The poetical verses which compose the octave He are pleas for understanding, obedience and fulfilled promises. Why would the psalmist pray for these things? Because he knows the worth of spiritual riches compared to earthly gain. The author is also aware of the only true, good, and beautiful purpose in life which is God. To crave deeper fellowship with our Maker and Savior is to fulfill our purpose in this sin cursed existence. Seeking God makes us truly human again, worshipping whom we are created for.

Grace upon grace,

April 

“I hold fast to Your statutes, O Lord; do not let me be put to shame.” -Psalm 119:31

The irony is as we hold fast to the Lord, He has the better grip on us. Just as Peter could not save himself from drowning, the Lord Jesus took hold of him to save his life (Matthew 14:22-33). He will hold you fast- always. As His child He does not forsake, change His mind, or let go of us according to how we measure up on any given day. Isn’t that wonderful? To hold fast to God’s Word is the deep mystery of God’s Sovereignty and man’s will. He gives us the desire and understanding, but we must take care to cultivate this gift. It is where delight and discipline meet to fulfill our duty as His people. As we hold on to our dear Savior minute by minute through His revealed truth, He will not allow us to experience the great shame of His rejection. We are firmly His.

Grace upon grace,

April

Grow deeper: James 1:13-18

“I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to Your Word.” -Psalm 119:25

We are made of dust and to dust we shall return. The psalmist is so low in spirit he feels as one already dead. Depression can feel like this. The intense pain or numbness makes one feel not fully alive, like the walking dead. He prays for the Lord to preserve him- to give him life to the full, not just a sad restless existence. The psalmist wants to truly live again. 

“I recounted my ways and You answered me; teach me Your decrees.” -Psalm 119:26

The psalmist has told God his heart- confession and repentance. Now he looks for renewed fellowship with the Lord. He wants God to teach him His commands so that he might not stumble in sin. The psalmist loves God and His holiness. He hates his sin and does not want to repeat an offense. 

“Let me understand the teaching of Your precepts; then I will meditate on Your wonders.” -Psalm 119:27

Here the psalmist pleads for more insight into the knowledge of God. This is where love and belief will grow. The psalmist desires to go deeper in fellowship with His Father. The way to do this is for the Lord to help him see and understand. He must then respond with obedience to what he has been taught. 

These verses show how the Christian life moves through mountains, valleys and the in-between. If our faith is stagnant we are not growing. Even down in the pit of despair, maybe especially so, our roots are given an opportunity to grow deeper. God is ever faithful to provide exactly what we need- whether that be a trial to cultivate spiritual maturity, grace to sustain us through it, or a humble spirit to show us we were never in control. The Lord will complete His work in every believer (Philippians 1:6). Although we may not understand our sorrows at times, like the psalmist, these seasons can be used for God’s Glory and our eternal good if we endure. Jesus is holding fast to His beloved. He is holding fast to you.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything […} Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” -James 1:2-4; 12

Grace upon grace,

April 

Further encouragement- This is one of my favorite hymns and appropriate with this post. I hope it blesses you as well. ‘He Will Hold Me Fast’ by Keith and Kristyn Getty