“Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.” Psalm 25:4
Dear Ones:
Why is it that Moses, a most extraordinary man of God, very intellectual and strong, would make it a centerpiece of his prayer life to pray, “Show me Your way, that I may know You.” (Exodus 33:13) How is it that David, a very long time after Moses had died, would pray the same thing: “Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.” The answer to this question is what Isaiah declared concerning the Lord’s perspective on the necessity of knowing His ways: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways.” (55:8) The Apostle Paul would pick up on this same theme, when he would pray for the believers in Colossae. His prayer would be: “I do not cease to pray for you…that you might be FILLED with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” (1:9) Beyond there being a difference between the ways of God and the ways of men, there is another reason for praying this prayer. One cannot KNOW the truths of God, in the perspective of wisdom and knowledge, unless God, by the Spirit, REVEALS them to the believer. God has given to us the written word of God, and we must in no way minimize the foundation of truth embodied and manifested in the Scriptures. But, as Jesus breathed upon the Disciples, that they should receive the Holy Spirit, we need to actively trust the Spirit of God to breathe upon the Scriptures, and make them come alive to our hearts. The Spirit of God is our teacher. He is that “Spirit of wisdom and REVELATION in the knowledge of Christ.” Therefore, the teaching of Scripture concerning knowing and living by the ways of God, begins IN Christ, and ENDS in Him. He, by the Spirit, reveals the truth of His ways, and how they apply to our lives. It is in this knowledge that we KNOW Him.
Dear Father, Teach us to specifically pray to know Your ways, the knowledge of Your will. Enable us to believe You for the fullest revelation of the knowledge of Your ways, so that we can be strengthened to believe You to the utmost. Breathe upon the Scriptures as we seek You in their pages, and make Your ways come alive to us. Then we shall believe, obey, and glorify You. We shall know You in an ever-increasing manner, pleasing You, and glorifying Your name. We thank You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad