“Teach me Your Way, O Lord; I will walk in Your Truth. Unite my heart to fear Your Name.”
Psalm 86:11
Our teachableness is dependent upon our receptivity and response—and recognition of Who He is.
“Teach me Your Way, O Lord.”
What an humble request, rooted in the same heart-soil as the disciples’ request to Jesus to “Teach us to pray” (Lk. 11:1). But, in reality, they’re two requests with the same desire: To know and serve the Heavenly Father better.
We all know there can only be one driver in a vehicle. Although there may be the proverbial “backseat drivers,” it still remains there’s only one person at a time who can drive the car/truck/ plane, etc.
And, so it is in the spiritual realm.
Until we realize who we are (those who are “poor and needy servants”—vv.1-2), we’ll always be seeking to usurp God’s rightful place in our lives. Contrary to popular thinking, God is not our co-pilot. He must be our Pilot; otherwise, we can rest assured that our end-result is chaos, heartache and destruction.
David’s request in today’s Manna is a beautiful one indeed—for he realized his need of the Lord’s instruction and Mercy (v.3). His petition was rooted in his need and his hope was rooted in Who God is and what He could do (vv.1, 5, 8, 10, 13, 15-17; cf. Heb. 11:6).
And, the same is true today, dear Pilgrim—or, at least it should be.
By praying “Teach me Your Way, O Lord,” we’re acknowledging His Lordship in our lives. And, by continuing with “I will walk in Your Truth,” we’re pledging to obey Him in what He wants us to do. Truly, it is a committal to a life of holiness and fidelity that’s rooted in “His Truth” (His Word and expressed Will).
That’s why we must also pray “Unite my heart to fear (Heb. ‘yare’—‘to revere, hold in high esteem or reverence, etc.’) Your Name.” By nature we are scatterbrained and prone to wander. Too often our hearts are governed by “the lusts of the flesh, eyes and pride of life” (I Jn. 2:16). Divided loyalties prevent us from “seeking Him first” (Mt. 6:33), which leave us powerless, directionless and depleted.
Oh, dear Pilgrim, when we realize Who God is—a God Who is “good, ready to forgive, plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Him, full of compassion, gracious, longsuffering and plenteous in Mercy and Truth” (vv.5, 15)—how can we keep from praying “Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way. Thou art the Potter; I am the clay. Mold me and make me, After Thy Will—while I am waiting, yielded and still”? May today be the day when He reveals Himself in ways we’ve never known before. And, may our response be that of Samuel in the night (“Speak Lord, I’m listening”—I Sam. 3:10) and Isaiah after his cleansing (“Here am I; send me”—Is. 6:8).
September 27, 2011
