Psalm 119:64
The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes! Psalm 119:64
I must admit, this verse is difficult for me. I tend to be a glass half full kind of guy, especially in the morning. I wake up as a “functional atheist” each morning and I do not see the earth full of God’s steadfast love. Instead, I tend to see challenges, problems and demands. Literally, I begin praying each morning for God to change this in me. Otherwise, I am a walking disaster waiting to happen.
I know that I am being conformed into the image of Jesus, so I will not always be this way. But there is still work to be done on me in this area of my life.
“The earth, O Lord…” The Psalmist could easily be saying, “All of the earth.” When I pause and look around, I see so many blessings that I do not deserve. I see a life where I did nothing to make it happen. I see health, maturity, and well-being in areas that would not be possible without Jesus in my life.
“…is full of your steadfast love;” The King James version uses the word “mercy” in place of “steadfast love.” These are two descriptions of the same attribute of God spoken of in Exodus 34:6. Mercy is an essential aspect of God's character and means not getting what we deserve.
The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…” -- Exodus 34:6 ESV
“…teach me your statues.” Here is where the Psalmist responds to this truth about God. He makes a demand of God to be taught His statutes. He does not ask for logic or understanding or knowledge. He makes a request that God teach him. He humbles himself to be teachable.
I have noticed that much of our recent public dialogue has been reduced to one-dimensional statements that leave out the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Using this verse as an example, it is familiar to hear someone say, “God is merciful,” and that is true. And it is common to hear someone say, “God teach me about You.” But along neither of these are the Gospel. It is not until you put them together that you receive a powerful Gospel truth.
Paraphrase: God, You are merciful, teach me about Yourself.
This phase is saying scripture truth to God and making a request of Him to help me in my sin and suffering. This is an example of “both and.” It is not either or. It is not one or the other. It is both. We need both.
If God is merciful, He may be distant or busy. If God teaches me, He could be a harsh, demanding teacher. But he is a merciful teacher. He is both. He teaches me through His relationship with me (and for my own good). He is a good father that only gives good gifts.
I pray that you will experience your merciful Father’s desire to teach you more faithfully and mercifully about Himself.
If this is a foreign concept to you, please reach out to Burke Care and let someone walk you through what this means. We are here for you.
Father, you are merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Teach me more of who You are and what You promise. Keep me from temptation and deliver me from evil. Amen.
Application Questions:
Where do I stop short of gospel truth and listen to untruth that I say to myself?
Who are the people in my life that I allow to interrupt the lies I believe and allow them to risk speaking the truth to me?
How can I learn more about the truth of God so that I can talk back to lies I believe?
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