Psalm 119:71-73 has been my bedside companion these past days and again in the early hours of this morning. Below are some thoughts that I pray may encourage you as you read.
Consider This phrase,” So that I may learn…” mentioned in verses 71,73 and the goal by as I call them “The Three Teachers”
We are to Learn from;
1.- AFFLICTIONS; Correct View of Afflictions;
“It is good for me that I was afflicted, SO THAT I MAY LEARN Your statutes.”-(Psalm 119:71). Consider “Teacher” number one!
What did “Afflictions” teach him regarding Troubles and Truth!
2.- TRUTH;
HIGH VIEW OF SCRIPTURE; Correct Evaluation;
“The LAW of Your mouth is BETTER TO ME THAN thousands of gold and silver pieces.”- ( v 72). What did “Teacher” number two about Scripture?
3.- CREATOR; CONTEMPLATING YOUR CREATOR ;
“Your hands made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, SO THAT I MAY LEARN Your commandments.”-( Psalm 119:73). What did “ Teacher” number three want us to know about God?
IN BOTH CASES, the phrase…“So that I May Learn…”
is connected with TRUE EVALUATION and ESTIMATION OF THE SCRIPTURES which help give Godly Clarity… PERSPECTIVE … Through knowing with the intent of COMPLIANCE with God’s Word.
In the three verses, he refers to different aspects of God’s Word, but never apart from Him as He refers to them as “YOUR…Statues… Law of YOUR mouth…YOUR Commandments.”
“So that I may learn YOUR STATUES.”- (v 71).
“So that I may learn. YOUR COMMANDMENTS .”-(v73)
The godly perspective of “Afflictions” through the Word, gave him Divine perspective, and clarity to see them as means of ultimate “good” for him and were used by God “So that…“which speaks of the intent, that he “may learn … “ His Statues and contemplation of God as his Creator were also motivation to “So that I may learn…” God’s commandments.
The Psalmist was teachable. You can’t learn if you are not teachable, submissive to Him. The Psalmist came to his Creator and knowing he knew best humbly asks that he would “give me understanding…” as he knew Him who made him knew best how he should live before him and for Him.
A Correct view of afflictions and the Creator through the Lens of Scripture -as revealed in God’s Word help us develop spiritual clarity- Godly perspective. spiritual maturity!
The “THREE TEACHERS” in these verses -( Psalm 119:71-73);
1.- AFFLICTIONS
2.- SCRIPTURE
3.- CREATOR
…are meant to TRANSFORM our view of God, His ways to what end? ”SO THAT I MAY LEARN YOUR STATUTES… COMMANDMENTS…”
“SO THAT I MAY LEARN…”
GOD teaches us through His Word concerning our Afflictions and understanding He is our Creator “So that I may learn Your statutes… commandments.”-( Psalm 119:71-73).
God has a purpose in our pain not to destroy us but to draw us closer to Himself and to spiritually develop us, and this we know from His Word!
God bless
Aidan.