Day 126, Year 1

Asking God for Understanding (1)

“Your hands made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.” (Psalm 119:73 NASB)

The word “understanding” is biyn in Hebrew, meaning “discernment” here. Some believers think the Triune God did not create Adam and Eve clever enough. That is why they were tempted by the devil to sin so easily. If this interpretation is correct, even good people would have to ask God for more understanding in times of peace and for the unpredictable temptation ahead. When the Scripture speaks of understanding, I wonder who would dare to claim they have reached the pinnacle of understanding where they no longer need to ask God for more.

Today’s verse mentions God’s commandments. To begin with, we always need to ask God for understanding in order to learn His laws. Indeed, many people find the words of the Bible difficult to understand. I have met some young people who excelled in the Chinese language in public examinations but have difficulty reading and understanding God’s words in Chinese. Perhaps, immersing themselves in understanding how humans use language too much, they find it difficult to grasp the use of language in the spiritual realm. God’s way is higher than humans’, and guessing His words using humans’ way is usually futile. Thus, we need to ask God for understanding so as to learn and obey His words.

Today’s verse mentions that God’s hands make and fashion human beings, and He can also give understanding to those who ask Him. “Fashion,” kun in Hebrew, could also be translated as “constitute, make, set up, fix, or direct.” Being created by God is not enough. We also need to ask Him to strengthen us so as to make us have more understanding and guide us so that we can truly learn His laws. Hence, many believers pray every morning to ask God to strengthen their faith and guide the decisions they need to make throughout that day, which is a beneficial habit.

Additionally, we might have encountered difficulties in understanding the words of the Bible when we are in a bad mood or experiencing emotional turbulence. At such times, not only do we need to ask God for better understanding, but we also need to ask Him first to calm down our emotions, or to “fashion” us, so that our minds can receive His guidance as we study. Indeed, whenever our minds and spirits are unstable or we lack direction and guidance in life, it is best for us to pray first and ask God to still the turbulence and strengthen our hearts and spirits so that we can properly receive and obey His words.

Reflection questions:

1) When your mind and emotions are unstable, do you ask God to calm you down, establish you, and guide you? If you have difficulties, how would you rely on the Lord to overcome them?

2) Do you think you should always pray for God to grant you a better understanding to escape temptations and learn and obey His words effectively? Why?