Day 5: Psalm 119: 25-48-Teach Me

Daleth
25 My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! 26 When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes! 27 Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works. 28 My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! 29 Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law! 30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. 31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame! 32 I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!
 He
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.  34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. 35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. 36 Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! 37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.
38 Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared. 39 Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. 40 Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!
 Waw
41 Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise; 42 then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word. 43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules. 44 I will keep your law continually, forever and ever, 45 and I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts. 46 I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame, 47 for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love. 48 I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.

 Meditation
What do you want to learn this year? The Psalmist cries, “Teach me, oh Lord, Your statutes!” (33) He wants to learn God’s law- Have you ever prayed this to the Lord? I have asked God to help me learn for a test, learn to survive a season of transition, or for help learning what I need to do in order to be fruitful in what I am called to... But I have seen more shooting stars in my life than I have asked the Lord to help me learn His statutes, or laws, or Word. Yes, I seek to memorize God’s Word but rarely do I ask for help learning, to be taught by God, His Word. Why should we pray this with the Psalmist?
            The Psalmist invites us to learn from God’s statues; the Lord’s design for life (25, 37, 39), to understand (27), find strength (28), to delight (35-36, 47), trust the promise of love (41), find guarantee of trust (42) and hope (43), for a wide place (45), and for love (47-48). The longing of the Psalmist to learn is marked by the holistic blessing for all of life.
Your life and learning this year will be enhanced when you learn to meditate on the Word of God first, to enlarge your heart (32) for a richer life of running in God’s commandments in your relationships, finances, time, and worship.  When the Word and works of God (27) are in your whole heart (34) then sadness and sorrow melts away (28).  So turn your eyes from worthless things (37) and allow your eyes to light your life with the love of God made clear by His Word and work. Ask the Lord to teach you His statutes!
 
Dwell Richly
-The Psalmist puts contrasts between his unhealthy, worthless practices and the healthy, worthy word of God: He wants false ways far from him (29) and to turn his eyes from worthless things (37) in order to focus on the word and work of God- What do you need to turn from watching, seeing, and looking at to fill your life with the light of the worthy Word of God? What false ways must you remove far from you to walk in the way of the Lord’s Word? Be specific.
 
-Re-read the list of what the Psalmist longs to learn from the Word of God found in the meditation above. Which areas are you desiring to learn and grow the most in?
 
-The Psalmist says he will speak God’s truth before kings (46). Are you afraid to speak God’s truth before the authority of your peers? Classmates? Co-workers? Family? Why? Do not be afraid- speak truth with your lips and life. You will not be put to shame.
 
Key verse:
119:37
 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.