City Life Starter

I. The Word: Psalms 143:8,10

“ 8Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,

   for in you I put my trust.

Teach me the way I should go,

   for to you I lift up my soul…

10Teach me to do your will,

   for you are my God.

Let your good spirit lead me

   on a level path.”

Reflection Questions

1. During a trial, how eager are you to learn?
2. Do you trust God to teach you how to handle despair?

God is the author of instruction; He teaches with the highest patience, wisdom, and individuality. He is always prepared, just waiting for his students to enter. We, His students, take many paths to humbling ourselves before walking in the door. David’s path in Psalms 143 shows him expressing his anguish, demanding a response from God, and praising God before finally asking to be taught by Him. Effective teaching requires a teacher, but more importantly a hard-working student. In asking to learn from God, David is asking to be intimately involved in easing his despair. Though David doesn’t blame himself for his hardship, he has enough integrity to change his ways for a solution.

Take-Home Point: When asking the Lord to relieve our suffering, we mustn’t forget the powerful role we can play if we learn from Him.  You can be a part of God’s miracle if you humble yourself enough to be taught.