October 1, 2019 -- Psalm 119:27 --Seeking to Understand

Make me understand the way of your precepts,

and I will meditate on your wondrous works.

Psalm 119:27 English Standard Version

I don’t understand. Those words make us feel helpless. If we are cooking a big dinner for friends and family and suddenly realize “I don’t understand the recipe, what is expected.” Or if we are facing a math problem with all these squiggles and brackets and letters which require solving—I don’t understand and I don’t even know where to begin! Whenever we don’t understand a problem or a situation we can freeze up because of indecision.

In sharp contrast the Psalmist longs to understand the precepts of the LORD, what God appoints for His people to do—for that is what precepts are. These are the ways in which He commands us to live for Him, to live in love for God and love for our neighbour. Our impulses and instincts have us look out for number 1—ourselves. But the LORD would have us live in self-sacrifice, love that acts for the good of our neighbours and forgives our enemies. It is so counter-intuitive.

When we see the glorious work of Jesus Christ—how He poured out His life in loving obedience to His Father and deep compassion and love for the lost of this world—we have before us an example Who helps us understand the way of the Father’s precepts.

The Spirit of God guides us in our understanding. When we submit our will and our lives to Jesus, His Spirit enables us to meditate on the wondrous works of God—how His precepts fit together. Those who believe in God the Creator realize He fits all things together in beauty—even our broken and fallen world which is riddled with sin and the consequences of evil—displays the glorious sustaining love of our Father. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28). What a glorious prospect. What marvellous incentive we have to dig in and seek to understand His precepts!

How intricately and beautifully are the pieces of life and creation, purpose and promise woven together in our Lord Jesus Christ. God, Who created and governs everything from quarks to quasars, we confess how little we know of the good You intend for us in Your law and in Jesus, the fulfilment of the Law. With the psalmist we pray to understand. We pray that the eyes of faith will be opened and as we begin to comprehend the richness, the splendour and the terrible beauty of all You appoint for us to do, let our hearts and minds reflect on it, savouring it and delighting in You. Amen.