Text:

"33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. 34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. 35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. 36 Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! 37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. 38 Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared. 39 Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. 40 Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!"
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Lexicon:
vs. 33 - teach - "to shoot an arrow, to cast, to lay foundations, to sprinkle or water, to show, to teach or instruct, to send out the hand to point out"

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vs. 33 - way - "the action of going or walking, a journey, a trodden road, a course of life or mode of action"

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vs. 33 - to the end - "the latter part of anything, the end result of labor, continually"

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vs. 34 - understanding - "to separate mentally or distinguish, to discern or perceive, to see with the eyes, to hear with the ears, to feel by touch, to turn the mind to anything, to be acquainted with, to be prudent"

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vs. 34 - observe - "to hedge about as with thorns, to guard, to protect, to keep watch, to preserve, to worship"

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vs. 34 - whole heart - "the feelings, will and intellect; inner part; inner man; the mind and memory; seat of appetites; seat of emotions and passions; seat of courage"

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vs. 35 - delight - "to bend or curve, to incline, to desire, to love someone"

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vs. 36 - incline - "to stretch out or extend, to cause to yield, to bow the shoulder, to incline downwards (God bowing the heavens, especially the ear), to spread selves out"

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vs. 36 - selfish gain - "plunder, unjust gain, covetousness, dishonest gain"

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vs. 37 - turn (away) - "to pass over, to cause to remove from one place to another, to bring or offer as a sacrifice"

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vs. 37 - worthless - "wickedness, calamity, destruction, evil, iniquity, falsehood, a lie, emptiness, nothingness"

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vs. 37 - give me life - "to live, to breathe, to live well, to flourish, to prosper, to recover health, to be healed, to be refreshed, to restore life, to call back to life, to quicken, to grant life, to revive, to be whole"

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vs. 38 - promise - "Word of God, utterance, speech"

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vs. 38 - be feared - "to reverence, holy fear, reverence toward God, piety"

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vs. 39 - dread - "to be afraid, to fear"

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vs. 39 - good - "pure, kind, upright, a happy lot (it is well with me), beautiful, cheerful, excelling, pleasant (especially used of smelling a sweet-smelling ointment)"

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vs. 40 - long - "to desire, to long for"

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What does this reveal about God's character?

God is a teacher.  He instructs us in His way and gives us understanding so that we may keep His law.  God is inclined to hear us.  He bends down from heaven to listen and be attentive to us - we do not go unnoticed.  God is a restorer of life.  He will make us whole again.  God is holy and righteous and deserving of our reverence.  

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Questions:

1) Am I seeking understanding from the Lord regarding His Word?  Do I remain teachable?

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2) Am I all in for God, meaning is my whole heart (mind, will, body, soul) engaged in active worship and communion with God?

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3) Do I love the Lord?

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4) Are my thoughts and actions consumed with or by "worthless things" (i.e., lies, emptiness, covetousness, evil, dishonesty, unjust gain)?

 

5) Do I have reverence for the Lord and His Word?  Am I giving Him the holy fear He deserves by reading and obeying His Word?

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6) Do I believe that God and His Word are good?  Or do I distrust His goodness and faithfulness?

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Prayer:

Father God, I choose to be open to your instruction.  Teach and show me your commands.  Lay them on my heart and mind to follow.  Help me to always remain teachable and receptive to your correction and instruction. Lead me, Lord.  Give me a deep love for you.  Help me to worship and obey you with my whole heart, body, mind, will and being. When I stray and take my focus off of you, bring me back to you, Lord.  Don't let me wander far. Help me to cling to you through any and every situation I face, no matter how difficult or hopeless it may seem. I trust in you, in your goodness and in your faithfulness.  Thank you for breathing life into me, for restoring me to full health and for making me whole again.  I love you, Lord.  In Jesus' name, Amen!