Psalm 119:27

Psalm 119:27

Cause me to understand

When speaking of the precepts of the Lord, the psalmist is effectively seeking to understand the way God works! He understands that the Lord is over-all, is in control of the whole of creation as well as the individual lives of His people. But how does He do it? What are His guidelines? What is His methodology and His strategy for His dealings with mankind? In truth, it would be helpful for all of us to know how God works but of course, it’s not possible. As Paul clearly says, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God, how unsearchable are His judgements, and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been His counsellor?” Romans 11:33-36.

Having spent over 50 years studying the Word of God, I have to say that I am no closer to understanding the precepts of the Lord than I ever was. Yes, it is possible to build up a store of knowledge and experience that only a lifetime can deliver but, with that knowledge and experience comes the awareness that the more you know, the less you know! God’s ways are so vast and so intricate and so immeasurable, that every quest for truth and understanding merely uncovers another layer of complexity. So, yes, it is true, the more the Lord reveals about Himself and His works, the more time we have to set aside to meditate on His deeds and the more overwhelmed we become with the wonder of His love and provision for us all. What kind of idiot would ever declare that the Lord God does not exist? People simply do not realise just what they are missing!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Psalm 106:13

Psalm 106:13 Do not forget We need to remember that Israel’s relationship with the Lord God was based on His laws and their obedience. It was possible for them to live lives that were highly blessed, that incorporated the provision of God in every tiny detail of their national and individual existence. God was prepared to give them everything they needed, He would provide food and water for them and their flocks. He would guide them on their journey. He would protect them from their enemies. He would inspire and direct their leaders. He would keep them from the heat of the sun and the terrors of the desert night. He would take them to the land that He had promised, in double quick time. There was no reason why they could not be in situ in just a few months. Everything they could possibly need was His to provide and He was willing to sacrifice anything to see them gratefully settled in Canaan.  There was just one snag, it all depended upon their obedience and faithfulness. God insis...
Read more

Psalm 51:4

Psalm 51:4 Deliberate sin In Genesis 20 we read the story of Abimelek and Abraham. The latter had passed off his wife Sarah as his sister and Abimelek had taken her with a view to her becoming his wife. The relationship was not consummated, and the Lord used a dream to reveal to Abimelek just what was going on. The insulted king pleaded innocence,  “I have done this with a clear conscience and clean hands ” he said, to the Lord. And God agreed,  “Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me.”  This is a big subject but there is clearly a difference between sinful intentions and deeds where the participant knows that he/she is doing wrong, and those occasions where an action is carried out in innocence.  David knew all along that every detail of his relationship with Bathsheba was sinful, as were his actions in the cover-up. Therefore, he sinned against the Lord God and broke the commandments which said that  “Y...
Read more

Psalm 84:3

Psalm 84:3 All about sparrows Any visitor to Jerusalem will know that the city is a haven for sparrows. Houses and other buildings in Middle Eastern cities are not built to keep out the cold with double-glazing and UPVC everywhere. There are literally millions of little holes and crevasses and places where birds can hide and build their nests. As a result, the air is filled with the sound of the sparrows at all times, and in the summer months, swallows, swifts and martins swoop across the rooftops. (Along with many other birds that I would love to mention but that would be totally irrelevant). Evidently nothing has changed for centuries, because these sights and sounds greeted visitors to the Temple back in the day when Psalm 84 was composed. And the author is envious. These winged avian residents and visitors can enter where he cannot! They nest and congregate around the Temple Courts, high up and out of the reach of man’s interference and so they occupy a place closer to God than any...
Read more