Text verses: Psalms 119:27, 35

The next few devotions are submitted to the believer to remind him of the necessity of petitioning God for the understanding of and the power to perform the Commandments of Christ; and also to reveal the rewards of obedience to those Commandments.

Two Scripture references are used to form the foundation of the message of these devotions:

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

“Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.” (Psalms 119:35)

The petition of “make me” is only one example of many petitions used by the Psalmist in teaching the necessity of petitioning God for the understanding of and the power to perform His Word and His Will. The Psalmist uses many phrases such as: direct me, teach me, make me, give me, incline my heart, etc. – so the believer will see God’s Way for the believer to perform His Commandments.

The fact is, prayer and petitioning God for understanding and power is ordained by God; this is not to violate the believer’s will, but to reveal the path of success for the believer.

Paul states this premise plainly in Philippians 4:13:

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Meaning without Christ, the believer is helpless in doing all things.

Paul also writes:

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

The believer must learn that the only way to perform God’s Commandments is to surrender to God as Lord and Master; to submit to His Word as The Truth; to obey His Word in love; and to endure in the same. The power to perform comes from God, and from Him alone. If the believer is to be successful in his Christian journey, he must learn that only through Christ can he walk by faith, only by living his life in Christ’s Life (Galatians 2:20; Romans 5:10, 17).

Christ deserves and demands all the Glory. Therefore, the believer must acknowledge this and walk therein.

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

When you, the believer, understand this process, you will petition God, “Make me to understand the way… Make me to go in the path of thy commandments” (Psalms 119:27, 35).

Then, and only then, will you talk of His wondrous works and delight in His Law – as you “understand” the way of His precepts; and as you “go” (or do, or perform) in the path of His Commandments.