UNDERSTANDING GOD’S WORD (1)

“Let my cry come before You, O Lord; GIVE ME UNDERSTANDING according to YOUR WORD”– Psalm 119:169

Next in priority to understanding God, is UNDERSTANDING HIS WORD: “Let my cry come before You, O Lord; GIVE ME UNDERSTANDING according to YOUR WORD” (Psa.119:169). This last stanza of psalm 119 closes with a humble prayer for Understanding. The psalmist knew God’s Word and the promises it contains. He wanted to understand how God honours those promises, and reveals His Will and Ways. He was unsatisfied with superficial knowledge, so he prayed in accordance with God’s Will revealed in His Word, asking for Understanding. His heart was ready to be delivered, to be taught, and to burst out in praise simply because of the righteousness of God’s Word (vv.170-172).

It is often said that Knowledge is Power. However, Knowledge is limited without Wisdom and Understanding. Knowledge gives information – the What; Wisdom, the How; while Understanding unravels the WHY of the What and How! Wisdom is the correct application of Knowledge. Understanding is the ability to lift deeper meanings out of known facts. By the Light of Understanding, we can “see” the deepest meanings of what God has said or is saying on any subject. Understanding helps us to tap into the fullest benefits of knowledge, for tangible results.

Although we can pray and ask God for Understanding, ultimately it comes by Meditation in His Word: “I have more understanding than all my teachers: for Your testimonies are my meditation” (Psa.119:99). Understanding comes through the entrance of God’s Word, by the workings of the Holy Spirit: “The entrance of Your WORDS gives LIGHT; it gives UNDERSTANDING to the simple (Psa.119:130). This entails committed processing of Knowledge; transcending the superficial, to mine meaningful and impactful gems and riches in the Word.

God wants us to prayerfully gain understanding of a wide array of scriptural realities, including the following:

God’s Ways: “He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel” (Psa.103:7).

God’s Will: “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph.5:17).

God’s Wonders: “Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders...” (Psa.106:7a).

God’s Attributes: “For since the creation of the world the invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made...” (Rom.1:20).

God’s Lovingkindness: “Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the lovingkindness of the Lord” (Psa.107:43).

God’s Power and Glory: “So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory” (Psa.63:2).

The Fear of God: “Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God” (Pro.2:5).

Righteousness: “Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path...” (Pro.2:9).

We can also gain Understanding of: Redemption, Dominion, Purpose, Deliverance, Healing, Family, Marriage, Satan’s devices, Covenant Wealth, Prosperity, Greatness, Ministry, Gifts, Fruits, Dreams, Visions, Prophecy, Times and Seasons, and the End-times.