January 24, 2020 -- Psalm 119:99 -- More understanding than all my teachers

I have more understanding than all my teachers,

for your testimonies are my meditation.

Psalm 119:99 English Standard Version

One commentator on this Psalm, Brian Borgman, believes this it was written by Daniel. The prophet Daniel belonged to one of the leading noble families of the people of Israel. In his youth he was carried off into exile. He maintained his faith and steadfastly trusted in the promises and the providence of the LORD his God. He learned the language of Babylon. He was instructed in all the wisdom of the Babylonian Empire. On many occasions it was made obvious to the king of Babylon that Daniel’s wisdom was greater than all leading wise men of the Babylonian Empire. Even when the law was passed that all the people of the empire had to pray to the King rather than to whatever god they served, Daniel faithfully prayed to God Who is the King of Kings and LORD of lords. Daniel’s enemies promulgated that law with the intention of capturing faithful Daniel and taking him out. Yet the LORD spared Daniel and these men themselves were thrown down.

While I still firmly believe this Psalm was written by David, I also believe it is and has been cherished by saints through the ages. Again and again it is proved to be true. The understanding of those who trust in God the Father have more insight than all their non-believing teachers. This was true and will ever be proven true.

Those who meditate on God’s testimonies increase in faith and see the creation as the handiwork of the LORD Who created the heavens and the earth in six, 24-hour days and on the seventh day giving the great gift of Sabbath.

Those who meditate on the Word of God see the unity of the Old Testament and the New Testament. This unity is fixed on Jesus Christ—Who reconciles lost sinners to God the Father. Lost sinners become a new creation. Their the old, sinful nature is put to death.

Those who meditate on the testimonies of God have an answer for all who challenge them. They are prepared to speak of the glories and excellencies of the Living God. It is the Spirit of God Who takes the deep truths of God written in the Bible and plants these deep in the heart of the believer who spends time meditating and praying over these truths. It is not mere intellectual games and trivial pursuits to know the Word—it is for the believer life and joy. The testimonies of God are wisdom beyond all that which is possessed by the secular rulers of any age.

Increase our hunger and thirst for Your Word, Living God. As You fed Your people manna in the wilderness and supplied water to them in the desert places, let Your Word be for believers our food and the Living Water that wells up in us to eternal life. Spirit of the Living God teach us to savour the written Word, spending time thinking about it, exploring it and trying to understand it. Spirit, Counselor of all true believers, by the written word lead us to Jesus Christ, our heart’s desire and our intellect’s greatest treasure. As we defend our faith may we do so with humility that disarms our enemies, intrigues our teachers and is inviting to family members and neighbours so that hearts may be won to glorious knowledge of and obedience to Jesus Christ. Amen.