Loving His Ways

“Let my [mournful] cry come before You, O LORD; Give me understanding [the ability to learn and a teachable heart] according to Your word [of promise]. Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:169-170‬ ‭AMP‬‬

One of the greatest gifts that we could ever ask for and receive is to have a teachable heart. When we’re teachable, everything becomes accessible.

You’re never more teachable than when you’re most vulnerable. — Jerry Weinzierl

Another word for teachable in the scriptures is obedience. As David mourns to the Lord in this passage about deliverance from his situation, it also reminds me of deliverance in light of our salvation.

Salvation comes with a commitment to follow (a teachable heart). We should never want our salvation apart from a commitment to obedience (following Jesus). A spirit awakened by God [when we become saved] also comes with a life dedicated to following Him in that salvation.

Our salvation shouldn’t be treated as a mere ticket into Heaven, continuing to live life as we see it. But our salvation is also a commitment to living in the ways of God because believing is really doing.

Like David, we should love God’s law too, His ways of doing things, and obey Him in how we live. Obedience is not in a set of rules, obedience is ultimately to a person (Jesus). We should desire, and pray for a desire, to learn and know Him more. For what is a life saved by Christ only to keep living our old way? Changing our ways (behavior modification) and even a heart change in some areas of our life is a process that’s not always immediate.

But our commitment to follow Him can be. When we surrender our hearts to God and submit ourselves in obedience, He does the transformation. He can soften our hearts and open our eyes to things that were once closed when we go all-in with Him.

A commitment to following Jesus means more than just tolerating His ways and getting our act together. It ultimately means loving what He loves and hating what He hates.

Outward or even inner change is not always an immediate thing. Sometimes it’s a process to work through the issues and history. But it’s a process that God willingly and lovingly walks with us through. And it’s a process that we should be committed to doing no less.

For the new man or woman in Christ Jesus, His “new” comes to replace our “old”  in every way. Not only should we long for His salvation and His rescue, but we should love and long for living His way.

A teachable heart unlocks all things. For what pleases the Father more than when we follow, love like, and live like Him?