God, How Do You See It?
by Richard Griffiths
Psalm 119 has a number of different words for the Word of God. Judgements is just one of them. God’s judgements are his verdict on the choices we make. When we ask Him, “Is this right according to Your will for me?” He will show us. He’ll give us His decision, His verdict, on our choice. And, so often, He speaks to us as we read the Scriptures. Something we read resonates with us, touches our conscience, and we hear His “Yes” or His “No” in our spirit.
In this verse the psalmist is expressing just how important this is to him. He’s really desperate to know, ‘at all times’ how God sees what he wants to do. It feels as if His desire to know the verdict is actually crushing his inner being.
But this is where the challenge comes. What do I long for? To do and to get what I want? Or to do and to get what God wants? Do I recognise that my judgements may be out of step with His? My understanding of His will and purposes is all too often skewed by my carnality, and the pressure of circumstances and other people’s expectations. To be honest, sometimes I so much want what I want, that I’d rather not know God’s verdict on the choice I’m making.
I think submitting our will to God’s is something that most of us find really hard. Jesus once said to His disciples, ‘My food is to do the will of the One who sent Me and to accomplish His work’ (John 4:34). When God satisfies a hunger to know and to do His will, it nourishes our spirit. It’s food for the soul.
That’s the challenge. But God never asks us to do anything hard without providing the resources. Here’s what Paul says: ‘The One working in you is God—both to will and to work for His good pleasure’ (Philippians 2:13).
When we genuinely begin to long for our Father’s judgments, He’ll show us, and He’ll give us all the resources we need to do His will and fulfil His purposes.
Prayer: Father God, I’m sorry for the times that I’ve decided to go my way rather than Yours. I acknowledge that You always know best. Please help me today to submit my will to Your judgments and to be willing to wait until I know what You want. And, as I wait, please reveal Your will to me. Amen.
Richard Griffiths When Richard retired from full-time Anglican ministry in Chichester in 2009, he and his wife, Sue, moved to Northumberland. He joined the ministry team at Ellel Grange in 2011, where he and Sue regularly ministered at healing retreats. They are now helping on the "Explore" team. They greatly enjoy walking in the beautiful Northumberland countryside and along the coast. Richard loves seeing God bringing people into a strong personal relationship with Him as their Father and the healing that comes with it.
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