How can we find our way along this journey of life? How do we learn to hear His voice clearly that we might know that voice distinctly so that we might always follow? Has He not become the only treasure that I seek? As I have journeyed through this life, I have come to realize that He is my heart’s desire. All the other stuff that I thought were things I desired have become nothing compared to Him. I so want to follow Him and only go where He says go, not running ahead nor lagging behind; but how can I be certain? How can you be certain it is His voice? David desired to follow God, he loved God, so let’s look at David’s prayer in Psalm 119.
Psalm 119: Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
He had learned that God was his greatest treasure and desire whom he sought with all his heart. Also, he knew that the joy of his salvation could be tainted by sin, so he desired to follow God’s commands diligently. To do so, he knew of the importance of studying God’s word. Yet there were three more petitions which he made of God, knowing that these were paramount to his walk with God.
Petition #1 Psalm 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law….
He asked that God open his eyes (I daresay he was referring to the eyes of his heart) to behold the wondrous things of the law. Unless we clearly see God’s glory and righteousness, we do not understand the depth of depravity that sin holds upon us. We do not understand our need, unless God opens the eyes of our heart to see Him. Neither can we understand the depth of joy found in our relationship to Him and may think ourselves content with our counterfeit joys instead.
Petition #2 Psalm 119:27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works…
73 give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments….
David also asked for wisdom to discern God’s voice and to understand the scripture. He needed his eyes to see and his brain to understand God’s ways. God has promised wisdom to those who ask. Have you asked today? Are you diligently studying his word? Are you steadfast in prayer?
Petition #3 Psalm 119:80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed….
The third petition is to keep our emotions sound, firmly grounded in God’s statutes. We sometimes let our emotions float from one extreme to another and need God’s comforting arms to steady us when trials and storms pass through our lives. This even more so when we find ourselves tired or facing some tragedy. Do not follow emotions particularly when too hungry, too angry, too lonely or too tired–ask God to steady your emotions and wait patiently for His answer once your emotions have settled down.
So, these three petitions are essential and should be included in our prayers. God, open my eyes that I might see you clearly. Give me wisdom that I might discern your word with clarity. And steady my emotions that I might find my rest and comfort in You. God will hear your plea and will unfold His magnificent plan for your life which will lead to Joy, Hope, and Peace that is ever overflowing from His Love.