This post was last updated on April 6, 2026

Day 12 (Year 2)

Removing Obstacles to Understanding God’s Word

“Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law.” (Psalm 119:18 NASB)

The word “open” in this verse comes from the Hebrew word galah, which also means “to uncover, to disclose, to make known, or reveal.” It is in the imperative mood. The author realized that there were obstacles between his eyes and the law. This is a feeling shared by many people. When looking at the law, some do not understand the words. Those who know the words may not grasp their meaning behind. And those who grasp the meaning may not understand how it relates to their relationship with God. If you encounter any difficulty in understanding God’s words, you can do as the psalmist did — continually plead before God, asking Him to help you.

Some people are unwilling to receive God’s words because they have misguided pursuits. So, if we pray according to Scripture, examine ourselves, and correct our wrong goals or pursuits, and then pray to the Lord again, we will sense a change. Similarly, if you find that you have personal issues to deal with and are not in the right frame of mind to reflect on and listen to scriptures, you may set these devotional materials aside for a while. After all, these scriptures are meant to be absorbed and obeyed, not skimmed over like water off a duck’s back, only to be forgotten. In short, if we have found that our spiritual eyes are veiled or blocked for some reason, we need to immediately find ways to resolve all these issues.

The word “wonderful” in the verse comes from the Hebrew word pala’, which also means “extraordinary, surpassing, or marvelous.” God’s law, including the Mosaic law, is truly wondrous and awe-inspiring. But this does not refer to Bible codes, which means arranging different Hebrew letters in certain ways to yield sensational prophecies, nor does it mean that believers’ worship must follow the patterns of the tabernacle or temple step by step. Of course, if some believers find tabernacle-style, etc., worship helpful, I do not object to it. However, the first or second-generation believers did not practice in this way, according to the records found in the New Testament. And I believe that the wondrous things in the law, on the one hand, reveal the spiritual principles and truths behind the law. On the other hand, they even unveil the spiritual realm behind it and God Himself. In Old Testament times, God’s law was regarded as a gateway to understanding His invisible spiritual realm, so as to awaken human souls (Psalm 19:7). As a result, their and our spiritual eyes would be opened.

Reflection questions:

1) Do you feel there are any obstacles in your process of understanding God’s word? If so, what are they, and how would you rely on the Lord to resolve them?

2) Is beholding the wondrous things in God’s Word your desire when you read the Bible? Have you ever had such an experience?