Teach Us, LORD

"Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes." ~Psalm 119:12

Remember the author here. Assuming that it is David, this guy has some experience. In fact, elsewhere in this psalm he says, "I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts" (Psalm 119:99-100).  He is not ignorant when it comes to the Scriptures.

And yet, he cries out to the Lord to teach him the Scriptures.

How amazing!  He knew so much, and yet, in his knowledge, he knew how much he had yet to learn.  And he turned to exactly the right place to attain his knowledge.  The blessed Lord.  The first part of this verse reminds us of who the Lord is.  He is blessed. He is worthy of all praise, honor, and glory.  He alone is worthy of being blessed.

And so, David turns to this blessed Teacher.

Indeed, the Lord will be our teacher.  He says, 

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;I will guide you with My eye" (Psalm 32:8).

In Isaiah 48:17 God speaks, saying,

"Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer,
The Holy One of Israel:
'I am the Lord your God,
Who teaches you to profit,
Who leads you by the way you should go.'"

God is our teacher.  He has promised to teach us in the way we should go.  

Oh, how foolish we are to turn to human wisdom! 

We seek wisdom from experienced physicians, trained theologians, and trusted teachers.  We consult books by doctors and pastors.  Yet, how seldom we turn to the very best (and only good) Teacher: God? How often do we face a problem, an issue, a dilemma, and open the Scriptures, whispering "Teach me, Lord"?

What would happen if we only turned to Him for wisdom?

His wisdom is "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere" (James 3:17).  As we turn to the Lord to grant as wisdom, He will lead us in a prosperous and successful path, a path that leads to death, instead of life (as is the outcome of our own heart's path).

Not only will the Lord lead us in wisdom in our own life's path, but He will also be our Teacher concerning the Scriptures.  If we ask Him, He will open the words of this holy Book and implant them deep within our heart (James 1:5).

So let us turn, with a humble and ready heart to Him.  Teach us, Lord.