The Holy Spirit

"But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all. . . And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you shall abide in Him" 1 John 2:20,27

Devotion #5 of 14

The example of David

We have the example of David, who knew the Law of God, and knew it well. He was a disciplined student of the Scripture available to Him. He asked for understanding in order to keep and observe God's Law with his whole heart. "Give me understanding, and I shall keep Thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart" (Psa 119:34). He reasoned that because God had made him, He could grant him understanding. Thus he could "learn" God's commandments. "Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments" (Psa 119:73). David also approached God on this matter from the standpoint of being the servant of God. He saw understanding from God as a requisite to knowing His testimonies. "I am Thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know Thy testimonies" (Psa 119:125). Perceiving the uprightness of God's word, the "sweet Psalmist" sought for understanding that would permeate all of life. "The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live" (Psa 119:144). The man after God's own heart discerned more in Scripture than literature, or mere academic expressions. To him, reading God's Law was not like reading the Jerusalem journal. The very Scriptures themselves seemed to demand a prayer for understanding. "Let my cry come near before Thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to Thy word" (Psa 119:169). Will any person stand in judgement of David for praying in this manner? Was he not a student of Scripture? Had he not given himself wholly to the contemplation of the Word of God. He acknowledged that understanding was never independent of Scripture. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments: His praise endureth for ever" (Psa 111:10). "I have more understanding than all my teachers: for Thy testimonies are my meditation" (Psa 119:99). "Through Thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way" (Psa 119:104). "The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple" (Psa 119:130). The same man that acknowledged his disciplined study of and obedience to Scripture, prayed for understanding to know it. Those who do not understand that situation simply are living too low. They need to occupy higher realms, i.e., "heavenly places," and come within the appointed circumference of hearing: humility. Paul's admonition to Timothy Paul wrote two letters to Timothy. Both of them declared foundational aspects of the kingdom, and the practical application of them. Yet, after he had written as he was moved by the Holy Spirit--the same Spirit prompted him to write--"Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" (2 Tim 2:7). If the human intellect and disciplined study were sufficient to grasp the significance of what Paul said, this was a foolish and pointless prayer. The very fact that Paul said these things indicates the insufficiency of human resources to grasp the extent of divine utterance. No person, regardless of their attainment in academics, can afford to be satisfied with a view of Scripture that does not require understanding from God Almighty!