A CHILDLIKE PRAYER
Psalm 119:33-40 “Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.”
“Teach me O Lord the way of Thy statutes” (vs 33) is the way the psalmist begins the prayer. A sense of slowness to learn drives us to the great teacher. And God, in condescending mercy, teaches those who seek Him; the prayer is very childlike and we should never go beyond this spirit. When we come as a little child, a sense of deep need prevails, we are trustful and we realize we are not capable. This crisis is beyond our ability; we cannot face it alone. He desires not only to know the statutes, he already perhaps has that knowledge, but the way of the statutes. He would know that path of holiness, which is hedged in by God’s law, where God’s commandments stand as signposts of direction and milestones of information, guiding our progress and marking our direction. The very desire to learn this way is full assurance we shall be taught.
“And I shall keep it unto the end.” Those who are taught of God never forget their lessons. Our commitment should be total, never temporary; we should never ‘try’ the Lord’s teachings for they are true. Mere human wisdom has no enduring influence. There is an end to the perfection of the flesh but there is no end to what grace can do. Grace can fulfill all of God’s will through us. This is to be a continuous thing, for our education, spiritually, involves more than one session. In God’s school of obedience, there are several, even numerous classes. Our graduation is not on this side of eternity, so we must ever be learning. One of the reasons we are to learn is that we are “to teach transgressors thy ways.” But no one can teach others who refuses to learn themselves, so we must walk circumspectly, that is, to carefully observe how we walk, and continue to learn even unto life’s final hour on earth. The end to which David referred was the end of his life thus never drawing a line to his obedience, never saying, “it is enough.”
“Give me understanding and I shall keep Thy laws.” (vs 34). He needs and asks for both teaching and the power to learn. Because of sin, we lack the ability to understand spiritual things. The teaching can be wonderful but without understanding, we cannot take it in. We will never have this until we know our need of it. Then, by a miracle of grace, our eyes are opened. We must, however, watch and continue to pray, lest pride enter our hearts and make our motives wrong and we will desire proudly to be known for wisdom. Our love for His law must be our motive. He who understands will learn, remember, treasure up and obey the commandments of the Lord. Grace enables us to do what we are given to do. There is no way of reaching holiness without grace. We obey as we receive grace but never obey to receive grace.
Under His Wings,
Pastor Ed Bowen
