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Psalm 119:18 - A Relationship With Jesus Grows From Prayer And Bible Study.

Psalm 119:18 (NIV) Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

Psalm 119:18 (TLB) Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word.

INTRODUCTION

Most of us chafe under rules because we think they restrict us from doing what we want. At first glance, then, it may seem strange to hear the psalm writer talk of rejoicing in following God's laws as much as in having great riches. But God's laws were given to free us to be all he wants us to be. They restrict us from doing what might hurt us, cripple us, and keep us from being our best. God's guidelines help us follow his path and avoid destructive paths and beliefs. [Life Application SB 2019]

COMMENTARY PEARL

The Bible should never be studied without prayer. The Holy Spirit alone can cause us to feel the importance of those things easy to be understood, or prevent us from wresting truths difficult of comprehension. It is the office of heavenly angels to prepare the heart so to comprehend God's word that we shall be charmed with its beauty, admonished by its warnings, or animated and strengthened by its promises. We should make the psalmist's petition our own: "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law." Psalm 119:18. GC 599-600

We cannot penetrate the deep things of God with our natural perceptive powers. "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God" (1 Cor. 2:14). We need to pray that the Lord will take the dimness away from our soul, and that He will grant to us the Holy Spirit, who alone can reveal the things of God to us (1 Cor. 2:10). [SDA Bible Commentary]

Pray as you study, "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law," Psalm 119:18. CT 172

COMMENTARY APPLICATION

   One of my most significant steps of faith this year was starting a daily Bible podcast with my friend Michelle. I love reading Jesus's Word - it has truly transformed my life. As we prepared to launch our podcast, worries filled my mind: I didn't have a seminary degree. I can't read Hebrew or Greek. Did I have what it takes? Would I be able to join Michelle every day to talk about Jesus's Word and what we learned as we read? Thankfully, I didn't let those worries stop me.
   We've recorded over one hundred podcasts already, and I understand Jesus's Word more than ever. I didn't need prior knowledge before opening the Bible. Instead, Jesus has given me wisdom. Every single day I discover something I hadn't realized before. It's not because I'm brilliant. It's because Jesus is faithful to meet me.
   Drawing near to Jesus, I grow in wisdom as I focus on the verses, ponder them, and ask Jesus to open my mind to understand them. It's incredible how Jesus can speak and nourish my heart, even with the little I know. I don't have to try to figure it all out. Instead, I can turn to Him and seek to understand one small truth. Because of my willingness to step out, I now realize each day of seeking Jesus is a significant step of faith. Tricia Goyer
   Faith Step: Find a friend to read through the Bible with you - someone with the same goal of drawing closer to Jesus through His Word. Set up a time to daily share thoughts and insights together. [Mornings With Jesus 2023 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]

CLOSING PEARL

   The story is told of a prisoner locked away in solitary confinement for thirty-three years with a single book: the Bible. After he died, the people who cleaned out his cell found some interesting sentences etched on the wall:
   o Psalm 118:8 is the middle verse of the Bible.
   o Ezra 7:21 contains all the letters of the alphabet except the letter J.
   o The ninth verse of the eighth chapter of Esther is the longest verse in the
     Bible.
   o No word or name in the Bible has more than six syllables.
   Clearly, this prisoner was captive to more than a jail. He was constrained by blindness to the relevance and the truth of God's Word. He spent years, even decades, with the Bible and came up with only odd bits of trivia. Tragically, the timeless words of Scripture apparently did not touch his heart.
   Even the most brilliant scholars who study Gods Word will remain unchanged by its truth apart from the work of the Holy Spirit. God's Word does not simply provide information. It draws us to Him, and He gives us life. God Himself opens our eyes to the truth of His Word and makes the Scriptures come alive to us. DON'T SETTLE FOR INFORMATION. STRIVE FOR TRANSFORMATION! [Being Still With God Every Day by Henry Blackaby]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Psalm 119:18 - Prayer With Gods Word Leads To A Relationship With Him.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230619-0955.html

Psalm 119:18 - Prayer Needed for Effective Bible Study.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2004/20041112-1114.html

John 17:17 - Holiness from God's Word.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201007-1438.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/