By Scott Guffin
Associate Professor and Executive Director of Christian Ministry, Samford University
GOD SPEAKS AND WE RESPOND
Psalm 119:30–40
When I was a young college student, I was riding with my grandfather — a rural pastor and cattle farmer — to his farm to help him with some work. As we talked, I mentioned that I was intently seeking the will of God for my life.
My grandfather said something profound to me in response that has stuck with me ever since: “If you want to know God’s will, do God’s will.” I came to understand the truth that God has already revealed much of His will to us, and it is up to us to respond to it in obedience. As we do, God unfolds His will for us to an even deeper and greater degree.
The writer of Psalm 119 reveals a deep affection and reverence for the will of God as found in the Word of God, which he refers to variously as God’s instructions, precepts, statutes, commands, judgments and decrees. He calls on the Lord to reveal its depths to him and to guide him in faithful obedience to it.
Choose to obey God’s will. (30–32)
In the beginning of this passage, the psalmist declares that he has intentionally chosen to walk in obedience to God’s Word. He expresses his commitment in three statements in succeeding verses: “I have chosen the way of truth,” “I cling to your decrees,” and “I pursue the way of your commands.”
Each one displays in a slightly different way the foundational dedication of the psalmist to God’s will as revealed in His Word. We also must make an intentional choice to obey God and walk in His ways.
As Joshua declares in Joshua 24:15, “Choose for yourselves today. … As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.”
Pray for clarity and understanding of what God wants. (33–35)
The psalmist, however, recognizes his own frailties when it comes to understanding and following God’s will, so he asks God to teach and instruct him in His ways.
He realizes that while we sometimes have a clear understanding of God’s Word and its application in our lives, there are other times that God’s will for us is a little more nebulous.
In times like these, we need to request God’s help, asking Him to illuminate His Word by providing insight, understanding and wisdom through our interaction with the Holy Spirit.
Desire to follow God more than anything else. (36–40)
Finally, the psalmist requests of God, “Turn my heart,” and “turn my eyes,” knowing that true, long-term, faithful obedience requires more than knowledge; it necessitates an alteration of one’s own will.
In Romans 12:2, Paul highlights this truth, calling on believers not to be conformed to the world but rather to “be transformed” by the renewing of our minds.
While we are certainly called to make intentional efforts to model our lives after Jesus Christ, we must ultimately acknowledge, lean into and depend upon God Himself to do the work in us.
Paul notes as much in Philippians 2:12–13, where he tells the Philippians to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” noting that “it is God who is working in you.”
The heart that is transformed by God in this way is the one that desires more than anything to know and to do God’s will.
Like the heart of the psalmist in verse 145, it says to God, “I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord! I will obey your statutes.”
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