God, I am thankful that You are teaching me.

Today’s Scripture: Psalm 143:10, NKJV- “Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.”

I do seem to revisit Psalm 143 over and over. God’s Spirit leads me here inexplicably. With only 12 verses, I find David packed lasting impressions for us to follow. Many times when we do not know where to step next it is nice to be given clear instructions. We have them.

David gives us a step by step process to live right, how to walk on a level ground where God, our God wants us to be. If we ever wonder what to do next, we can come back to this process and start over.

Step 1: Psalm 143:1 instructs us to pray. “Hear my prayer, O LORD” For God to hear it, we must speak it. Turn to God as David did. In Psalm 143:2, David acknowledges that none of us can live right without our God. This time of prayer is also when we share with God those things in our lives that are overwhelming or distressing us as David laid out to God in Psalm 143:4.

Step 2: Read God’s Word. Psalm 143:5 states “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.” (KJB) What is our best way to remember God’s works and what He has done? The Holy Scriptures recounts who God is and what He has done. We can meditate and think about these things and learn from Him.

Step 3: Desire God: Psalm 143:6 expresses “I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Selah” Do you feel the passion and the deep yearning from David’s soul? Are you thirsty enough? The Selah or pause is to take time to reflect on our praises and thanksgivings to God.

Step 4: Turn to God first thing in the morning. God communicates with us in our times of prayer. In Psalm 143:8 “Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.” Do you have time? Can you make time? It is in these times when God causes us to know the way we should walk.

Step 5: Run to God. Psalm 143:9, KJB- “Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. We can find peace in resting in God’s arms. Various translations mention hiding in Him, taking refuge and shelter. Trust that God has you covered.

Step 6: Learn from God. Psalm 143:10, NKJV- “Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.” God does teach us. His Spirit is good, and He will teach us to do right in the land He has given each of us.

Step 7: Live for God. Psalm 143:11, NKJV- “Revive me, O LORD, for Your name’s sake! For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.” As the saying goes, we did not come this far just to get this far. Let us live to give God glory for what He has revived us from. Let us tell others of how God has brought our souls out of trouble.

Today’s Prayer: Thank You LORD for teaching us. I am filled with praise for Your glory, shelter, and Word. I am thankful for Your servants that have come before us to lead us to You and Your Word. Thank You LORD for the written records for us to study. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that fills, guides, and rests upon us. I am giving You all my troubles. I am running to You LORD for shelter and for You to teach me what is right. Amen.