Psalm 119:125
I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.
Is discernment simply there for the asking? I think of discernment as knowing, or having a good sense of, whether something is in line with God's will. This can be much more difficult than it sounds. At least it is often difficult for me. When we are faced with such a question, or a decision, it makes total sense to go to God in prayer over the situation. Unfortunately, this is where I often veer off and wrestle with my indecision for several days. Discernment comes from God! When I remember to include the Holy Spirit in my decision-making, I am much more likely to be closer to God's will.
Holy Lord, May your Spirit be actively with me every moment, guiding and teaching me. Grant me discernment. Amen
Becky, transforming
Wednesday, May 3rd,2023
Psalm 119:125
I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies!
David recognizes right off that he is God’s servant. He is not His equal.
David’s attitude about discernment is important. He wants it so that he will understand God’s Word. And as he had work to do, he desires to know what it was. He should know his Master’s will, he appeals to him for it. He was God’s servant, devoted to his service, and willing to perform it to the best of his knowledge and ability; and therefore prays:
“Give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies. I should have the same attitude as David. I can read and not…
Psalm 119:125
I have never done this before, but I am going to quote my study Bible explanation, because it makes the passage so clear to me.
“The writer asked God for discernment. Faith comes alive when we apply scripture to our daily tasks and concerns. We need discernment so we can understand, and we need the desire to apply scripture where we need help. The Bible is like medicine: it goes to work only when we apply it to the affected areas. As you read the Bible, be alert for lessons, commands, or examples that you can put into practice.”
Prayer: gracious God, as I read your words, may I discern how you want me to use them in…
Psalm 119:125
I liken God’s gift of discernment to a parent’s gift of a bicycle or musical instrument to their child. It is a wonderful gift, but requires disciplined work and practice to use the gift properly. For discernment, that work and practice is in the form of study of the Word and prayer. These spiritual disciplines will help develop our discernment so that we can navigate a world that may try to entice us to subvert God’s will. We may fall from our bike and skin a knee or we may hit a few wrong notes, but the more we work and practice, the closer to God we become.
Prayer - God of wisdom, may my every thought and…