"Give Me Understanding"

Yesterday we embarked a little further in our exploration through the 119th Psalm. Verses 33 and 34 were the focus for yesterdays Sermonic moment. Wow... I am guilty of not expecting the time to be as fruitful as it proved to be. I must pray that I, as a Pastor and Preacher, get to a better resolve about preaching. I am constantly cognizant of the ability of God to give increase when we avail ourselves to Him. I further realize that He can use "Even Me." I just have to move past being surprised when He sees fit to do so. It totally undermines the supremacy and sovereignty of God when we fail to EXPECT a blessing.

Anyway... That is not the premise of my post. I am struggling with an even greater dilemma. Basically, it's Monday... Pastor's of Parishes Plagued with a more Primal Progression know exactly what I'm talking about. I am LITERALLY now faced with employing the "thesis" of my message from yesterday. I can definitely say that, for my life, God has a sense of humor.

Verses 33 and 34 of Psalm 119 mark another transitory moment in the Psalm itself because it denotes the beginning of another "Stanza." Most of you know that Psalm 119 is the longest "chapter" in the bible. (I know the Psalter is divided in number progression and not Chapters, but humor the thought) It's 176 verses are divided into 22 "stanzas." Each of these 22 stanzas are understood to be arranged in acrostic nature due to the fact that each "stanza" is dedicated to each of the 22 Hebrew alphabet. Aleph... Beth... Gimel... Daleth are sections that had already been covered in our series when arriving at our sermon yesterday. Now, verse 33... "Teach me, O Lord, the ways of your statutes..." v. 34... "Give me understanding..." That was the tag to the text on yesterday; "Give me Understanding."

Now... That Psalmist's petition and prayer in these verses is my sole and solitary submission to the Sovereign on today. "Lord, Give me Understanding." Why is it that we, who try our best to adhere to sound doctrine, seem to struggle the most? Lord, "Give me understanding." Lord, I want more for the people than they want for themselves. Give me understanding. I have given my last dime, forfeited pay, done without benefits, burned midnight oil, remained in school, faithfully proclaimed, passionately labored, earnestly loved, fervently prayed, selflessly sacrificed.... However, the numbers are still few, money still low, prospects still slim, obligations still behind. Lord, Give me Understanding.

That's my pain and prayer. I must rush to say that I am confident that I'm not the only one who has been faithful to doing whatever it is God commands. So much so that you have not required Him to file a "flight plan" or give disclosure as to the next few years "prospectus." We simply remain content with the fact that God, like with Abraham, has us headed towards a place that He "WILL show you." So, I don't really need to understand what He's DOING as much as I need to understand what He's SAID. I guess the "understanding" I must continually seek is that of His "revealed will." His word is where I find the understanding I need. Also, where I find the strength to run on a little longer.

Verse 33 and 34, I told you, denote the beginning of a new "stanza." It is the eight verses headed by the Hebrew "He." What is interesting is that this "He" is used in conjunction with Hebrew verbs to make it "causative." (you ALL know I am not a Hebrew scholar, just stumbled up on that through study) But, that results in this Psalm having a "causal" tone. Lord, Cause me to be taught... Lord cause me to understand... I guess the bottom line is that, in God's time, He will CAUSE me to understand. The bible promises that "He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."

The Psalmist Utters this prayer... But he also makes a pledge. "I will keep it until the end..." And "I will keep it with my whole heart."

In light of the coming Understanding I will "Keep it..." (It will be Consistent)
"Till the end..." (It will be Continual) "With my whole heart." (It will be Complete)

I am completely resolved to walking "by faith and not by sight." I KNOW that my "due season" is coming. Like the older saints used to sing, "We'll UNDERSTAND it better by and by."

SSSSSHHHOOOOOO!!!!! I guess blogging is a good thing. Didn't quite make sense to you, but I feel better.

Thank you Lord for your excellent greatness and tender mercy. I, like Paul, am content