Psalm 119:12
Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! Psalm 119:12
Oh, I remember the desperation in my mind when I first became a believer. But even then, I was not focused on the “statutes” of God. I was more interested in pain relief. I wanted instant answers to my problems. I did not want to take the time to read the Bible and wait for God to reveal Himself to me. I was not interested in what He was interested in changing in me; I was not ready for Him to change me. I wanted Him to change things around me like increasing my bank account balance. I was zealous for Him to change all the other people that caused inconveniences in my life. The Holy Spirit motivated me to move in ways that made my life more comfortable.
But then, the Holy Spirit did move. In many, small, unexpected ways I sensed the Holy Spirit taking my closed fists and opening them to what God had for me. I wish I could say it took only days or weeks, but for me it was years, and, in some circumstances, decades. Change was slow. Sanctification is progressive. Being conformed into the image of the Son (Romans 8:29b) takes time. But I wanted life on my terms, in my timing. I am a sinner; I want what I want when I want it.
Now, thirty years into my Christian walk, I would not want it any differently. God is faithful to provide for us just as we need when we need. I often remind young men who are looking for discipleship, “You got here as fast as you could.” We are not ready until we are ready. So, in the meantime… “teach me your statutes.”
What I need more than anything is redemption. I need adoption. I need a “heart of flesh.” I am not my own. I have been bought at a price. I need total dependence on the Triune God of the Universe. I need to learn to abide in Him. I do not need to create my own fig leaves. I need his covering. I must learn “your statutes.”
Praise God that He is faithful to persevere His children to the end. My life is rich and full in ways that I would never have dreamed of because my Perfect Father knows what is best for me. So, in faithfulness and obedience, I follow his lead, I desire that He continue to “teach me your statutes.” And in the meantime, He will be faithful to change me.
