Psalm 25 Be Teachable!

My Math teacher in seventh grade was a very demanding one, but he was also the best. He was willing to teach all he knew about multiplication and division, but I had to be willing to submit to his methods. Many students looked him up to have him as a teacher. In those days, it was not uncommon for a teacher to smack you with a ruler if you did not follow his instructions. But if I willingly submitted to his requirements, he would do everything in his power to ensure I learned well. To this day, I have not forgotten the multiplication tables.

So it is with our God. He is willing to be our teacher and teach us all we need to know and understand. There should be a longing in our hearts to have God as our teacher just like David himself exclaims in vv.4-5: "Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long."

But there are certain requirements for me to be a true disciple of my God. First, I must be a person who accepts that God is upright and I am a sinner. He is the teacher and I am the student. He is above me and I am in need of instruction. It is imperative that I approach God with the proper understanding of my place in his presence. I am in need of him. I must come in repentance and with a contrite spirit knowing that I have not lived up to the expectations of my teacher.

Secondly, "He leads the humble in what is right." My attitude before my God should be one of humility and not pride. I cannot come to receive instruction with arrogance. I must humble myself to my teacher. My God is willing to lead me to what is right only if I come humbly to him. I must abandon my pretense to know it all. I must empty my vessel to receive what God is willing to pour into my life.

Finally, I must be obedient. "All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies." I will not be able to enjoy anything God teaches me unless I am willing to be obedient to what he instructs me to do. I must have a heart that is willing to submit obediently to his instruction.

If I seek my God to instruct me with a repentant, humble, and obedient heart, I will learn much. I will learn what is really important in life and benefit from God's blessings as I obediently practice it every day.

Father, I confess that I have not lived up to your commands. Give me a humble and obedient heart that I may learn from you and please you all the days of my life. Amen.