Teachers are more than just “teachers” to their students. The best of teachers not only teach but are also listening ear, sympathetic heart, and wise counselor to their students. The best teachers create an safe environment and development relationships with their students. Their students know they can turn to their teacher for more than their history or math homework. They can come to them with their problems and the best of teachers will be there to listen and provide them counsel and help.
It is clear from reading Psalm 86 that when David prayed this prayer he was very troubled. And like students always do, he turned to his most just teacher and advisor for help. Early into his prayer he states he cries to God all day long and asked God to gladden his soul. David concludes the verse stanza:
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
listen to my plea for grace.
In the day of my trouble I call upon you,
for you answer me.
David is struggling. Yet, in his struggles in turns to God. He calls on God with complete confidence that God will answer him. The remainder of the is equal parts praise for God’s listening ear and wonderful counsel as well as thankfulness for God’s comfort and favor. Sandwiched in the middle of this Psalm David prays to God this line:
Teach me your way, O God,
that I may walk in your truth;
Unite my heart to fear your name.
David is praising God for all His wondrous works in this verse. He declares there is no greater Adonai – the master of all. In this discussion of how mighty God is David request that God teach him His ways so that David could walk in God’s truth. He asked God to “unite my heart to fear Your name.” Some translations read “focus my heart on fearing you.” Why does David ask this here in the middle of prayer where He is crying out to God for deliverance from his enemies?
David understood that the distractions of this world could take his heart away from its real purpose – fearing God and walking in His truth. David understood that he could easily become distracted my his troubles and fearful of the wrong things. Instead, He asked God to teach him how to walk in God’s ways and for God to focus his heart on fearing only Yahweh.
It appears David had complete confidence God would answer him because he ends his prayer:
Grant me some proof of your goodness
so that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame.
You, O Yahweh, have helped me and comforted me.
When we face enemies and hard times, it is easy for us to become distracted and fearful of the wrong things. We lose sight of what is most important – God’s ways and fearing Yahweh – the Living God. In the midst of David’s struggles, he asked God to teach him not to be that way. David asked God to refocus his heart and mind. And like the master teacher God is – God heard David’s prayer and answered him.
🍎 Don’t try to take on the cares and worries of this world alone. Take them to them Master Teacher.
🍎 Don’t like the cares and fears of this world distract you from the most important thing in this life – fearing God and keeping His commandments.
🍎 Ask God to help you walk in His ways and focus your heart.
Instead, be like David, who turned to God for help and was completely confident God would hear and answer Him. Why? Because God is the master teacher. He not only teaches but He listens and advises. No one will listen to you and no one will advise you the way God will. Why not turn to him first? He is waiting. #TheMasterTeacher #GodsPupils
Adonai's Appeal 