Psalm 119:33-40

GOOD MORNING! We read a Bible passage in which the Psalmist expresses a longing to know and to have applied God's word to daily living.

"Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness."[1]

The Psalmist, desiring to be taught, asks for understanding. "Discipline my life so that I may delight in the commandments of the LORD." His yearning is that he will have a heart for "Thy testimonies;" he asks for "quickening", the establishing of God's word within his life, and to be made alive in the imparted righteousness of the Mighty LORD.

The all-embracing gospel invitation that was made by our LORD is: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."[2]

Our gracious Saviour and LORD is the way, and the truth, and the life. How do we receive Him? By faith. He turns no seeker away. He disappoints none who receive Him to be all that God in His word sets Him forth to be.

Mark the path you are to follow: "Come unto Me." That is the first step. "Repent ye, and believe the gospel." [3] Repentance is recognizing your need of Him. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"[4]

"Take my yoke" is the second step. The Psalmist puts it plainly, "What wait I for? I will take the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD."

Our LORD'S eye-opening words, "Learn of me", are the third step. We learn of the LORD Jesus by reading the Scriptures. "For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."[5]

We come to the LORD Jesus by repentance and faith. "Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out." [6] We learn of Him in the Bible. His promise is, "I will give you rest."

"Teach me," the Psalmist prays, "Give me understanding, … Make me to go the way of the LORD, … Incline mine heart, … Quicken me in thy righteousness."

Now and forever, the LORD JESUS CHRIST "is the way, and the truth, and the life."[7] He is the way to God. He is the truth of God's salvation. He is the new life that all of the sons and daughters of Adam must have!

We all must have a change from death to life. It is not reformation that we need, it is regeneration! This new life must come "by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost," [8] which is "shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour." [9] All of this is from "the kindness and love of God our Saviour." [10]

The most wonderful truth of the gospel is this: that all who come by faith to the LORD JESUS CHRIST are accepted and enrolled in the school of God's grace.

If you will, come, as did the Psalmist, saying, "Teach me, O LORD!" Now is the time. Today is the day of salvation. The very fact that you are listening to the gospel invitation means that you are invited!

I heard the voice of Jesus say, "Come unto me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one lay down thy head upon my breast!"
I came to Jesus as I was, so weary, worn, and sad;
 I found in him a resting place, and he has made me glad. [11]
AMEN.

[1] Psalm 119:33-40
[2] Matthew 11:28-30
[3] Mark 1:15
[4] John 1:12
[5] Hebrews 11:6
[6] John 6:37
[7] John 14:6
[8] Titus 3:5
[9] Titus 3:6
[10] Titus 3:4
[11] From "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say" by Horatius Bonar