Know It to Show It

“Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.” (Ps 119:27 AV)

 

That very first word just jumped out at me.  When we use that word, we usually mean we do not want to understand and we are asking someone to forcibly inflict this knowledge upon us.  When I was a kid, if an older sibling told us what to do, we would respond, “make me”!  However, the word means to cause, not to force.  The writer is seeking understanding in regards to how the precepts of God work, why they are precepts, and how to apply them.  The writer is seeking to understand the consequences if the precepts are ignored and the blessings that might abound if he does live by them.  In short, the writer is seeking as much information about the precepts as can be gained which will increase the likelihood he will live by them.  The evidence of the writer receiving his request is his personal testimony as to the wonder of the precepts.  He brads on God.  He speaks of how wonderful the law is.  He doesn’t disparage the law nor resent it.  He shares with all who will listen that the ways of God are the best ways and that his life has been richly blessed by them. It is not enough that we live in obedience.  When have reached maturity when we advertise the ways of God are the best ways.

There is a physical riddle that is rather amusing.  Hand someone seven six-penny nails and tell them to balance six of the nails on the seventh.  It can be done.  Try as they might, to almost all, this is impossible.  One on top of another, perhaps.  But six on a seventh?  Not possible.  But it is.  There is a way to do it.  Perhaps a bet is made.  Perhaps a dollar is thrown down and a dare thrown out.  The one who knows the answer keeps anti-upping the wager.  One after another takes the bet.  The large the pot, the more others are willing to give it a try.  But to almost all, it seems impossible.  For each dollar that is put down, the riddle maker is obliged to throw his own down.  Finally, all are exasperated and take him up on the bet.  So, he nails one of the nails on a board.  He then takes the six and arranges them in such a way as their heads act together as a locking device against one another.  It shapes a letter “H” with the center being longer than horizontal.  He then balances these six together and the seventh and walks away with a fist full of dollars.  What happened next?  Each patron who saw this magic trick then decides to try it on his or her own with a  completely different audience perpetuating the profit of hidden wisdom.  This is our nature.  When we see how something works and know that it will work to our advantage, we tend to share it with others even if they do not believe it at first.

This is what the writer wishes for.  He is not seeking to make a profit off of others, mind you.  He wants to know the laws and precepts of God in such a way that he is excited to share the wisdom.  He wants to know the law so intimately that he cannot help but to desire others to experience the same blessings as he.  He sees the hurt around him from people who have not this wisdom, and knows that if they would just give God a chance, perhaps the hurt will go away.  He sees the benefit of living God’s way and knows others would truly be blessed.  So, He wants to know it so thoroughly that he can explain it to others so that they might come to welcome the precepts of God as well.  This is the writer’s desire.  This is for what he prays.  This is his end goal.  He wants the world to know how wonderful living for God in God’s way is the best life anyone could ever experience.