“Trouble and anguish have come upon me, yet Your commandments are my delight. Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.” Psalm 119:143-144
Healthy relationships are built on knowledge, understanding and grace. Sharing a conversation with a person will, in most cases, allow one to get to know them. However, that does not necessarily mean that they have any kind of significant relationship…at this point they are, for the most part, acquaintances. Solid relationships are built when people share their lives. They celebrate the high points together, comfort at low points and offer aid, wisdom and guidance in the midst of struggles. Grace covers the gap between knowledge and understanding as well as when there is a need for forgiveness. Developing a strong relationship takes time and effort but yields a great reward.
Last week I was looking for scripture verses to post on social media and came across Psalm 119:43-44. Despite having read and sung it many times, this time it struck a nerve. The natural tendency of any human when faced with trouble that causes anguish is to seek understanding. The important question is: what kind of understanding? Sadly, my initial reaction was to follow natural human reasoning rather biblical principles. Our natural reaction is to demand an explanation justifying whatever dilemma we might be facing. We wrongly assume that knowledge will ease the pain. However, that is not what David is requesting in this passage.
Thankfully and by God’s goodness, a bit of thought and some investigation, aided by Matthew Henry, I came to the true meaning of this passage. David does not desire and explanation for his circumstances or how they might be justified by God’s divine plan. Rather he desires to know God, His word, and His principles better. He is not looking for a new revelation, but rather a greater comprehension of what he already knows to be true. His true desire is greater depth to both His relationship with his Lord and His faith.
If one reads the entirety of Psalm 119, the validity, value and righteousness of God’s law as well as the character of God are common themes throughout the passage. David is certainly not ignoring his problems, but humbly pours out his heart to God having learned that the more He understands God and what He desires of us, the greater assurance he has that God is with Him, providing for Him and sustaining him no matter how bad things get. It also comforts him to know that eventually, his Lord will bring him home to abide with his Savior for eternity.
In this passage, David is exhibiting for us what we are commanded to do in James 1:2-8. He knows that the testing of his faith produces endurance and is seeking to allow the Holy Spirit to work in that regard. He is also asking for greater wisdom so that his understanding is increased. David is certain of what he knows to be true of God, but requests fuller comprehension through his experience.
As our relationship with God matures, we more readily trust in God’s promises and more quickly experience peace and joy as we rely on His character. As we grow in our understanding, our behavior towards others changes as well. The apostle James reminds us of this in James 3:13: “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.” As we learn, we help others to learn; and as we endure, we help others to endure. In our seeking to understand God rather than our circumstances, we are greater equipped to fulfill the two primary commandments to love God and to love others. Finally, understanding not only provides benefits in this life, but also yields our great and final reward of unimpaired unity with our Lord for eternity.
May discretion guard you, and understanding watch over you to deliver you from the way of evil, so you will walk in the way of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous.
Will