When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes!

Psalm 119:26

In this life, there is a great difficulty in openness. Since the fall of man, sincerity and genuine love have been broken and cursed. We are shown that women will desire to dominate over men, but that in fact, men will have rule over women (Genesis 3:16). Thus, relationships are strained. However, we are encouraged here because we see a distressed man and broken and yet he goes before his God and expresses himself in detail. He gives a count of all that is within him - every thought and desire, every fear and worry. Every want and burden is laid at the feet of God by the psalmist. O, what a great and wonderful grace it is of unspeakable comfort to have a God who receives all that we have to say to him (1 John 5:14-15). Therefore we are encouraged to go to him and be restored. He wants to hear you. 

However, it is not as if God is deaf, nor is it that God hears and does not respond, but in fact, the psalmist declares that God answered him! God bends down on behalf of his Son, who has given us this privilege to approach God's throne and receive mercy in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16; 7:25). Here we are shown that God cares deeply for his people and does not leave them without hope or direction. David is not concerned with visions or dreams for his answer. He is not waiting for a voice from the clouds - some ethereal phenomenon. But, rather, his desire for intimacy with God is by way of ordinary means. He is crying out to the Lord in prayer saying, “teach me!” for it is at God’s feet that he desires to sit. But what does he ask to be taught? It is God’s inscripturated word that he seeks. God’s law, his statutes, is what David is most after. It is God’s law upon which he meditates day and night because by it God transforms him and us. The law is beautiful to David, for it shows him who God is. 

We may lay down at the feet of God, as beloved children, all that is upon our hearts. He is not unable to bear it. And then, he guides his children on the proper pathway. We have, as our God, a compassionate Father, full of mercy. 

S.D.G.