Getting a Glimpse of the Teacher 

This post’s passage reference: Psalm 119:30-36

I mentioned in a recent post about an English teacher (from West Virginia) that my brother and I shared in high school. This teacher was one of my all time favorite teachers.  I find it humorous that my three favorite teachers were all English teachers. In addition to this teacher, the English teacher I had when I was in high school in Kentucky was also one of my top three. 

Then I went back to school in my mid-thirties. It ended up that my college English Composition teacher was also in that top three list. (I feel like I probably should apologize to them for the way I tend to butcher the English language at times. I think the basics stuck though!) 

As much as I respect and appreciated the earthly teachers I have had along the way, my greatest desire is to have the greatest Teacher lead me through life. 

As I read through Psalm 119:30-36, I see the psalmist here has that same desire. They have decided to choose to walk a path of authenticity, God’s truth.  The map they are using to navigate their way is God’s divine Law, with God as their guide.  They have kept God’s Law—His testimonies—close to them and followed them. Their deep desire is that they would not be shamed for how they have lived them. 

The psalmist has made the decision, with the help of God,  to run in the ways of God’s commandments—not an easy walk but run—and beseeched God that He would strengthen and expand their heart as they ran.  

Verse 33 is one of the places we get the sense that this could be David writing this Psalm.  They are coming before God and earnestly asking Him to instruct them in His statues. They truly, deeply want this. They pledge to keep God’s Laws within them for the rest of their life.  They ask for understanding of God’s Law and tell Him they will keep it always and they will observe it with all of their heart. 

This psalmist desires to walk the path that honors God’s commandments and His instruction.  The thought of doing so brings them delight.  They want to pledge their heart to following God’s testimonies so deeply that they will not be lured by this world to cover what it offers.  It sounds to me like they are all in!

The challenge of this passage, for those of us following Christ, could be understanding the importance of God‘s Word in helping us get through life.  We want to truly choose God’s Word as our guide, our instruction book.  In a sermon by HB Charles Jr., Up From The Dust | Psalm 119:25-32, he shared, “Don’t be stuck with it. Be stuck to it. Cling to God’s Word deliberately, strategically, and continuously. John 8:31-32 says, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”  

How can we apply this passage to our lives? We can keep track of where we are in this life through our road map, the Bible. Then once we get our bearings, we can keep moving! Don’t slow down.  This was something that I felt convicted of with this blog. I started out at a strong, fast pace eight years ago, and I kept a pretty good track for a while. Then once life complications came along, I did not keep up with it as well. I was moving, but definitely not running.  Then finally I let it slide completely to the point that I was not even walking slow. I was at a complete stand still. Henry Melvill, 1798-1871, wrote, “A slow motion is easily stopped, whereas a swift one bears down that which opposeth it; so is it when men run and are not tired in the service of God…the prize calls for running: ‘So run that ye may obtain…’ (1Co 9:24)” If we have a ministry or a platform to share about God’s amazing love, we should keep running with it.  

What does this mean to my faith? My faith is strengthened because I know when I go to God through prayer and His Word, He will hear me and will give me understanding and teach me His Truths for my benefit. Just as when David prayed earnestly for God to teach Him because he knew God was the best teacher, I am strengthened by knowing that there is no better teacher for me than God! 

God, my Teacher, I am thankful that You have not left me stranded here in a foreign land without a road map on how to get home. I pray that You will increase my knowledge and help me be able to encourage others. Help me to not just stand on Your promises, but help me to run with them and spill them out all over the place as I run! I praise you, God, for Your Truth and for Your Word. I continue to praise You because I know You are always there for me to lean on and learn from. Thank You for giving me glimpses of You, My favorite Teacher!

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 “30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. 31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O Lord, put me not to shame. 32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. 33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. 34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. 35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. 36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.” Psalm 119:30-36 (KJV)

“as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,”1 Peter 2:2 (KJV)

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” “John 8:32 (KJV)

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; “Philippians 1:6 (KJV)

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. “James 1:5 (KJV)

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. “Psalm 51:10 (KJV)

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I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about my Jesus.  

What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe?  Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him?  You can know Him.  Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity.  You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.  

Here is an excellent website that can give you additional information about making your decision for Jesus Christ!  PeaceWithGod.net

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