… grant me understanding that I may live. — Psalm 119:144.
There are lots of things I don’t understand. Our psalmist goes a little further, he asks for understanding so he/she might live. What do you think he/she means here?
A tragedy occurs, and we ask God to explain why it had to happen. A loved one dies, a family member commits suicide, a good friend loses her job, the list goes on and on. Job asked God these questions, and I’m not sure any of us are satisfied with the answers he received.
We lack of understanding about good things that occur as well. Why am I blessed with a wonderful family and others are not, Sarah had a child late in life, and your neighbor wins the lottery. Again the list is as long as the Mississippi.
Maybe our psalmist is talking about a different kind of understanding. Maybe she/he is asking God for understanding about what is valuable in life. What parent hasn’t faced the pressures of work versus family? Who hasn’t faced ethical choices that call for understanding? Do we need understanding to help us place the true value on the material?
Like Job I ask for understanding and argue when I get answers I don’t like, but I will continue to ask that I may live.
After many years of personal spiritual seeking I found The Course In Miracles…..and through forgiveness that it teaches I have found much peace and harmony.
Wonderful post.