Psalms 119:27, 35, 135

In Psalm 119:18, the Psalmist had petitioned God to “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” That is, to see the “wondrous things” of God’s Grace, Mercy, and Love; as revealed in His Law, or His Divine Revelation of Himself in Christ, who is “the end of the law for righteousness” (Romans 10:4).

In our text verses, the Psalmist once again petitions God to perform a Sovereign Act in his spirit. He uses the phrase “make me.”

Many feel that this kind of statement is in violation to man’s free will. Man’s ‘free will’ is explained by the unregenerated man; it points to the independence of the unregenerated man to do as he pleases.

However, from Genesis 2:16-17, God placed man under His law of restraint. From the beginning, man was not designed to be on his own, but rather to be in subjection to his Creator.

Man’s will is rooted in his nature. When a man is born, he is born dead in sins and trespasses, or in death (spiritual death; which is separation from God). (See Genesis 2:16-17; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:1.)

His nature is called the “old man”; which Paul describes:

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;” (Ephesians 4:22).

When in this state (unregenerated), the old man’s will is to:

“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” (Ephesians 2:2)

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” (Ephesians 2:3) (Also see 1 John 2:15-17.)

But when the “old man” is crucified in a person by the experience of Regeneration by the Spirit of God (Romans 6:4-22; 8:1-16); then he is made a “new creature.” This is called the “new man”; of which Paul writes:

“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4:24)

Paul writes of this new creature:

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (with a new will; and that will is to follow God): old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Man’s free will is then tied to his nature; either the old man or the new man. He is either guided by the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – or by the Love of God. The desire of man’s thoughts and the intents of his spirit come from his nature. The desire of the old man is, ‘Give me more of the flesh (sins).’ The desire of the new man is to please God in every part of his body and spirit (1 Corinthians 6:9-20).

The new man knows that he is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, he is to be clean and pure and holy in his body, soul, and spirit. His desire is to be like Christ; to be changed and conformed daily to the Image of Christ. His plea is:

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

Knowing:

“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;” (2 Corinthians 3:5)

“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Corinthians 3:17)

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19)

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:20)

“As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:” (1 Peter 1:14)

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;” (1 Peter 1:15)

“Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)

The new man also knows that it is not in his own power to walk as Christ walked (1 John 2:4-6); but it is by the Power of God working in Him:

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,” (Hebrews 13:20)

“Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:21)

His desire is for Christ to rule and reign in his daily life; for Christ to be in complete charge of his spirit. Therefore, he petitions God daily to:

1. “Open thou mine eyes…” (Psalms 119:18)
2. “Make me to understand the way of thy precepts…”  (Psalms 119:27)
3. “Make me to go in the path of thy commandments…” (Psalms 119:35)
4. “Make thy face to shine upon thy servant…”  (Psalms 119:135)

Read Psalms 119:1-176 and note all of the Psalmist’s petitions to God – such as: direct my ways (verse 5); “teach me” (verse 12); “Deal bountifully with thy servant” (verse 17); “Open thou mine eyes” (verse 18); “hide not thy commandments from me” (verse 19). (Also see verses 22, 25b, 26b, 28b, 29, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40b, etc.) These verses and many, many more reveal the Psalmist’s need and desire for God to work in him that which is wellpleasing to God.

This is the prayer life of the believer “in Christ.” He knows who God is and who he is. Therefore, he knows that Salvation is of the Lord, from the beginning to the end. But, he also knows that:

1. It pleases God for the believer to ask, seek, and knock in prayer (Matthew 7:7);
2. It pleases Him for the believer to persevere in prayer (Luke 11:1-);
3. This is God’s way to empower the believer to be an overcomer in his flesh (Philippians 4:13).

Therefore, the Child of God need not rebel, thinking that God has violated his free will; for his ‘free will’ is in Christ. It is now his will to surrender, submit, obey, and endure in the Will of God. And he knows the only power to do so is in the Power of the indwelling Christ:

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

For it is by Christ living His Life in our life that we experience Victory (1 John 5:4).

Therefore, the Psalmist, who is a Child of God, petitions God, “make me”; God, work in me and through me, for I know:

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” (Proverbs 19:21)

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, (21) Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)

God, without You, I am nothing; and I know nothing; and I have no power to perform. I surrender to You as my Lord, Master, and Power.