Reflecting the Image

Scripture:

Psalm 119:65-66

You have dealt well with your servant,
    O Lord, according to your word.

Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
    for I believe in your commandments. (NRSVUE)

Observation:

The psalmist begins this section by recognizing the faithfulness of God: “You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to your word.” But this recognition doesn’t lead him to believe that he has arrived or has nothing more to learn. Instead, his next words are, “Teach me.”

He believes in God’s commandments, but believing is not enough. He asks God for good judgment and knowledge. He needs discernment — the ability not simply to know God’s commandments, but to understand how to live faithfully according to them.

The verses that follow help us understand his request. “Before I was humbled I went astray,” he says, and later, “It is good for me that I was humbled, so that I might learn your statutes.” There had been lessons learned through failure. Humility had made him teachable.

And still his prayer is, “Teach me.”

Application:

Try to teach a toddler something new, and you quickly discover whether there is a teachable spirit present. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard the words, “I do!” Now, that’s good when a child is learning some independence, but it’s not so good when we carry that attitude throughout our lives. An unwillingness to learn from others, and especially from the Lord, can be a reflection of our desire to remain in control.

“No Lord, I do!”

Sometimes we have to go through some really rough days before we become humble enough to admit that we need help with judgment and knowledge. That’s especially difficult for natural leaders. Natural skills and abilities can take us a long way, but they are not enough. If we are to be followers of Jesus Christ and the kinds of spiritual leaders needed in this world, then we must learn to let go of “I do.”

The cry of our heart can be transformed by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. We move from “I do” to “your will be done.”

With this comes humility as we realize that maybe we don’t know how to do everything. Maybe we should ask for directions. Just maybe there are others around us who can help us accomplish the work God has placed before us.

In humility, we join with the psalmist and say, “Teach me.”

Prayer:

Lord, help me to be dependent upon You for all that You have placed before me. It’s so easy to get busy and try to do things on my own. Thank You for Your patience as I learn to say, “Your will be done,” every day. Amen.