Psalms 119:33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared. Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!
“The general desire expressed in this division is that for guidance. It is not an appeal for direction in some special case of difficulty, but rather for the clear manifestation of the meaning of the will of God.” (Morgan)
“We should reckon ourselves to the duty of following God and His word to the end. “The end of our keeping the law will come only when we cease to breathe; no good man will think of marking a date and saying, ‘It is enough, I may now relax my watch, and live after the manner of men.’” (Spurgeon)
The Psalmist had no doubt that God has given His word to us; his only fear was that he would not understand it (or be distracted from it). Yet he was utterly confident that God had spoken and that it could be understood rightly by the prayerful heart and mind.
“‘To the end’ means without time limit, and ‘with all my heart’ means without reservation.” (Boice)
Our heart is inclined to walk a path apart from God. On our own and for our own purposes. This is the natural heart of man. Me, myself, and I seem to want to jump up and take control, take the honor, take the praise and take the credit.
The thought that one can say “I studied and taught myself to understand and walk the paths of God” has no profit for the one who tries this approach. God is not honored by the pride of of man, nor can man be open to God’s leading apart from being transformed in their heart.
It is never by the will of man for man cannot walk in God’s path without God’s empowering. Man cannot unveil the mysteries of His word without God given wisdom and understanding. Don’t think for a second that man can understand His word and walk His path on their own will and understanding. It is from all from the grace filled steadfast loving hands of God who encourages, empowers, strengthens, refines, guides, opens our eyes, ears, heart and mind, comforts, disciplines and refines us for His plans and purposes.
Incline your heart, mind and soul to humbly serve, honor, glorify, follow, and obey Him, knowing that only through His enlightenment we are given wisdom to understand and strength to overcome and courage to endure.
