God’s ways are called many things; mysterious, unpredictable, wise, just to name a few. One phrase often said in relation is “God’s ways are not always our ways.” So much of this is true. God’s ways are mysterious. And they are unpredictable (to use at least). Undoubtedly, they are wise, and they are not like that of a man or woman.
In this third part of studying Dr. Thomas Manton’s 27th sermon on Psalm 119 in tandem with Jonathan Edwards’ 65th resolution, (read part one here, and part two here) we reflect upon aligning our will to be like God’s.
Jonathan Edwards Resolution
Edwards’ Resolution #65 (as it was written)
Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton’s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26 and Aug. 10, 1723. Aug. 17, 1723
Edwards’ Resolution #65 (in my modernized language)
To live in full openness with God, including: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires; and every thing in every circumstance. (See Dr. Manton‘s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119.)
A genuinely repentant heart desires to know and understand God’s ways. To be a student of Jesus. To know God’s grace is to seek humbly to walk according to his teaching.
Teach Me Thy Statutes
In Psalm 119:26, the writer (likely to have been David), appeals to God for mercy by asking God to “teach me thy statutes.” This comes on the heels of declaring his ways and acknowledging that God hears his prayers. So why, now, does David ask to be taught?
And what is it that he wants to be taught? The simple answer is, God’s statutes. In fact, the vast majority of translations: indicate “statutes.” Meanwhile, others translate it to laws, decrees, demands, ways, orders, or instructions. Some cross-referencing verses include
Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.
– Psalm 25:4 (NLT)* * *
I praise you, O Lord; teach me your decrees.
– Psalm 119:12 (NLT)* * *
Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.
– Psalm 86:11 (NLT)
David, having spoken in raw sincerity, has poured his heart and soul out to God while holding nothing back. Hour the inward assurance of the Holy spirit, he knows God has heard him. And in a mode of holy contrition, he seeks to have the Lord pour into him.
We all should be so wise to request the same of God. Our God is ever remaining. Inexhaustible and forever. Like David, put your faith into the alpha and the omega. And it’s more than knowledge. It’s alignment with God and God’s nature. Experiencing him is the cultivation of confidence as his mercy endures.
You see, that’s one of the many remarkable things about God. We could give him all that we have ever had or will have, and be left empty. God, on the other hand, will give more than any one of us can ever ingest in our earthly lives and still be no less full than he is.
Walk Worthy of Mercy
I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying,
for he speaks peace to his faithful people.
But let them not return to their foolish ways.
– Psalm 85:8
I’d say it is safe to say that, in this conversation with God, David experienced a defining moment. One in which he said to the Lord, “God, I’m nothing because of my human condition. I have so much to tell you, andI do that with sincere humility. And because of your infinite wisdom and mercy, I know you hear me. And I know you care about me like you do for every sheep of your flock. It’s time for me to become a better man. It’s time for me to be the individual you’ve designed me to be. In your mercy, God, make me understand who you are and everything about your nature. I want to be more like you every single day of my life.”
In such defining moments, you’re filled with passion and spirit. That’s the easy part though. The hard part is keeping the passion. You see, having received mercy, we must not return to wicked ways.
In Matthew 6:12, we find a portion of the Lord’s Prayer, in which we ask the Lord to forgive us our transgressions/debts/sis. The next part is equally important;
“And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one”. – Matthew 6:13 NLT
Upon supposition the Lord hath forgiven us our sins, oh! Let us not sin again. Many wou;d invite God to favour their ways when they have no respect to his ways, which is in effect to make God a servant to our list; but if you would have mercy from the Lord, beg that you might walk worthy of the mercy.
– Manton
We serve God, not the other way around. Don’t invite the return of evil’s bitter grip.
Instructions in Discipleship
When we declare our ways to God, we are declaring our sins and displaying our contrition. We are also declaring our weaknesses and seeking God’s strength amid constant temptations to sin.
To be a disciple is to be a student of Jesus. It’s an admission that the ways of fallen men are drastically different from the ways of a perfect God.
It’s a matter of setting your faith on a holy course. A matter of gratefulness for our rescue from the death of sin.
“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”
– Luke 7:47 NLT