Learning the Law

Scripture:
You have been good to Your servant,
    O Lord, according to Your word.
Teach me good discernment and knowledge,
    for I have believed Your commandments.
Before I was afflicted I wandered,
    but now I keep Your word.
You are good and do good;
    teach me Your statutes.
The proud have spoken lies against me,
    but I keep Your precepts with my whole heart.
Psalms 119:65-69

Observation: The psalmist has one powerful theme - seeking to learn, know, and understand God's word. He describes both the goal of understanding the law, and the benefits that come from God's teaching.

In this specific case, the psalmist aligns understanding and learning the law to the ability to overcome the evil ways of this world. He indicates that, because God has taught him the statutes of the law, he is able to overcome and resist issues when others speak lies against him. In addition, he indicates he had before wandered away from God, but God's own word and commandments brought him back.

Application: So far, this is the passage of this long psalm I best relate to. I know I don't know God's word well enough yet. However, when I was lost, the little I did know helped me to return, and the little I know now has helped me through some trying times in this modern world. I can discern good from evil, and while I myself regularly sin I do not embrace the evil of these times.

My devotional reading has helped me to patiently overcome some of the major challenges, especially those that occur at work related to populist culture. I have found the bible to be even more amazing than I believed it was. For example, this psalm itself is known for three things ... it's very long, its exactly in the middle of the Bible, and it is repetitive. However, I have found it interesting with each subsection having a small twist on the theme that provides a different insight partially because the small twist becomes magnified by the structure of the psalm.

I want God to team me good discernment and knowledge. I believe in his commandments. There was a time a wandered and was afflicted, but now I at least try to keep God's word. I love the fact he is teaching me every day. When hard times come and I am attacked due to my beliefs in the law, I know those attacks to be lies and I will hold fast to God's law with all of my heart.

Prayer: Abba, father, thank you for your word and your teaching. May I meditate on your law day and night. Forgive me when I fail to observe it, and teach me your will. Amen.