A number of years ago I did an extensive study of Psalm 119, which – by the way – is the longest Psalm and the longest chapter in the Bible. One section of scripture in this chapter especially grabbed my attention and I’m using it as the foundation of this week’s Bible study.
O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your word. I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me. Psalm 119:97-102
Did you catch all that? The Psalmist claimed to be wiser than his enemies, to have more insight than all his teachers, and to understand more than the aged. How was he able to make such a proclamation? The answer is really quite simple.
He meditated on God’s word and obeyed all that He commanded. And because He faithfully adhered to God’s commandments and precepts, He was able to say: For You (God) Yourself have taught me. The truth of his proclamation has never left me. I want to be like that Psalmist. I want to be able to say God Himself is the my Teacher. But how does one do that?
Spending time daily in the study of God’s word is a good starting point, but if it ends there, we’ve missed the mark. As we study, we need to be asking God to give us insight that we might understand and apply what we’ve learned to our lives. But if we stop there, we’ll still come up short. Once God has spoken and told us what we are to do, we must step out in obedience. Then and only then will we be able to say with the psalmist, I’m wiser than my enemies, have more insight than all my teachers, and understand more than the aged because God Himself has taught me. Without application and obedience, all we’ve done is accumulated head knowledge, and head knowledge alone does not make us wise, nor does it give us godly insight and understanding. In order for God to truly be our teacher, we need to be walking in intimate relationship with Him on a daily basis, not simply acquiring knowledge.
Another passage of scripture that speaks of God as our teacher is found in Isaiah 30:20-21: He, your Teacher, will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher. Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.
Are you listening for His voice? Are you seeking His counsel? Are you asking Him to guide you? If so, and you’re sincere, He will direct your steps. Our problem is we’re often either too busy to stop and ask for directions, too impatient to wait for His instructions, or too stubborn to follow whenever He tells us which way we’re to go. We have no other excuses. God has given us His Spirit who dwells within us and who actively seeks to guide our steps.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. John 14:26
I believe the Holy Spirit is always speaking, nudging, and guiding us. But if we’ve not tuned our ears to hear what He has to say, we’re going to miss it. Why is it we’re so quick to listen to the what the loudest voices in our world have to say, accepting their words as truth, and yet we can’t seem to find the time to stop and listen to the only voice that will never lie.
Daily the media bombards us with the latest and greatest answers to all our needs, and yet so many times their wondrous claims never pan out, or they fizzle in a few years once the next greatest thing comes along. But when we place our faith and confidence in God and His truth, we have no cause for concern. The truth of His word has never changed and never will. He will never lead us astray or down a wrong path.
If you’re tired of trying to manage your life in your own strength, or depending upon people who have ultimately let you down or led your astray, I challenge you to stop looking to the world for answers to your questions or solutions to your problems. Turn instead to the Lord and let Him teach you. I promise He won’t disappoint.
Who is the man who fears the Lord? He (God) will instruct him in the way he should choose. His soul will abide in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land. The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He will make them to know His covenant. Psalm 25:12-14
God says: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8
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If you enjoyed this study, you might also enjoy:
Our God . . . There is No Other
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Now at my bungalow retreat, where I depict country living, bungalow-style through words and pictures: Pretty in Pink 2012. Hope you have time to stop by for a visit. www.bungalowretreat.com
