Which Way God?

Which Way God?  ||  Psalm 119: 33-36  ||  Merdice Cumberbatch

Which way God? The more I study His Word the more I find myself continually asking Him this question. Too often we take counsel from everyone but God. Seeking advice from and trusting in others including our doctors, lawyers, accountants and even our friends. We put our trust in everyone but God. I’ve learned to lean towards Him solely for direction. Learning to trust in God’s leadership and His direction has truly made a difference in my life.

Now, when I come to a crossroads, I ask Him “which way should I go?”  After numerous trials and tribulations, I have learned that His answer to that question lies within my faithfulness and my understanding. This week’s prayer focus is being grateful for God’s leadership and trusting where God is leading us. Psalm 119: 33-36 succinctly translates to a request to God from the psalmist for personal transformation, ‘teach me, give me understanding, lead me, and incline my heart.’
 
Teach Me
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end (v33). ‘Teach me.’ In Psalm 119, this request is repeated eleven times and in eight of those instances, the psalmist asks God to teach him His statutes, a decree given by God describing how we are to live in obedience to Him. It is obvious that the psalmist desires to be taught by God by the numerous times ‘Teach me’ is repeated.
 
Give Me Understanding
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart (v34). This request for understanding occurs six times in Psalm 119, which is obvious that the writer has a desire for such. In this instance, a desire for obedience and understanding of His statutes and to keep his statutes with the idea of total commitment. Our Desire to understand God’s teaching must be continuous, constant, and an ever-longing part of our lives. Know that understanding comes from God and to fully understand this we must listen for God’s voice in everything we do and pray for guidance. God’s voice never contradicts the Word. 
 
Lead Me
When was the last time you let go and let God? God teaches us His way through His Word; therefore, we must meditate on the Word to recognized when God is speaking to us. When we learn to recognize His voice, we can then come to a crossroad and trust that it is God who has spoken. We can be confident in knowing that He has shown us which way to go. Or, in times of trouble and during those tough decisions we must make, just simply trust in Him. Allowing God to lead us is where our Faith steps into play. Faithfulness requires trust and commitment.
 
Incline My Heart
Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain (v36). This verse expresses the idea that the heart is wayward and needs help in pursuing what is good. The psalmist wants God to transform him so that he can stay on track and not be seduced by unjust gain.
As we continue on this Lenten journey, let us ask God daily, ‘which way?’

Prayer: Most Gracious and Merciful God thank you for your Word and your direction. For it is your Word that teaches us the way and gives us understanding. Your Word leads us in the path of righteousness and bends us so that we stay on track from treacherous acts and indulging in selfish gain. Amen and Asé!