Teach Me Your Ways
Opening Prayer
Father, give me a love for Your Word today as I seek You.
Read Psalm 119:25–48
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
25 I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.
26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.
27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws.
31 I hold fast to your statutes, Lord;
do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.
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33 Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my life.
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41 May your unfailing love come to me, Lord,
your salvation, according to your promise;
42 then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth,
for I have put my hope in your laws.
44 I will always obey your law,
for ever and ever.
45 I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.
46 I will speak of your statutes before kings
and will not be put to shame,
47 for I delight in your commands
because I love them.
48 I reach out for your commands, which I love,
that I may meditate on your decrees.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Stand firm upon the promises of God, and know that as you reach out to him, he draws near to you.In this artfully constructed psalm, each section focuses upon a separate concern. In our three sections today, the psalmist faces three challenges to his faith in God, and his ability to base his
life upon the law of the Lord: sorrow, selfishness and scoffing.
These three challenges are interlinked: he is sorrowful about his own shortcomings and false ways (28,29), and he is aware in the next section that there is much to disturb his undivided focus upon God’s ways—selfish gain and vanities especially.
Thirdly, there are those who taunt him (42) for his devotion to God’s law. The Parable of the Sower illustrates similar challenges to the healthy growth of the seed, the Word of God—shallowness of roots, the suffocating cares of this life, and the way sneering opposition can snatch away the potential for life.
His response throughout this psalm, and especially here, is to cry out to God for understanding of his ways (33) and a fresh experience of his unfailing love (41). Whatever challenges to faith you experience, that heartfelt cry can be yours too.
Apply
Whichever part of this passage relates to you, write it down and carry it with you as your prayer today.
Closing prayer
Lord, refresh my love for You by teaching me Your ways, and fill me with Your love.
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