Jesus asked, ‘Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?’ (Luke 6:39). Whether it’s agony aunts, social media, political commentators or star signs, we are bombarded with people who want to tell us how we should think about things and how we should respond to various situations. We live in a world full of blind guides and we need wisdom. 

In this psalm the writer is singing with great joy about how he loves the works and precepts of the Lord (v 7), and about how wisdom begins when we have a right view of God. He is gracious and compassionate (v 4), righteous (v 3), faithful and just (v 7), holy and awesome (v 9).

When we see God’s laws not as arbitrary but as given by a holy and good God, who loves us and leads us into life and flourishing, then we take delight in knowing his law – and knowing him. As we do so, we stand at the beginning of wisdom, and the scales fall from our eyes. We are no longer blind, but able to see clearly – we can also lead others with us into the wisdom that is ultimately found in Jesus (Proverbs 8:22– 32).

‘I thank my God every time I remember you.’¹ Who can you thank God for?

The focus of this psalm is on the great deeds of God and the importance of studying them. Commentators believe that the deeds the psalmist primarily had in mind were to do with the beginnings of Israel and events such as God’s deliverance of his people from Egypt.² 

Why is it important to take time to thank God, not only for his deeds recorded in Scripture but also for all he has done for us on a personal level? First, it’s easy to move on too quickly from answered prayer to focus on the next problem that faces us. I know I sometimes forget I have prayed about something and fail to appreciate how God has been at work answering my prayers. Taking time to recognise and give thanks for answered prayer builds up our faith, for it reminds us of God’s goodness. This is also important to do because life isn’t one miraculous event after the other. 

The Jews who experienced the Exodus would wander forty years in the desert before entering the Promised Land. During this time, they grumbled against God and forgot his goodness to them. Even once they’d possessed Canaan, they would continue to face problems, most notably the Babylonian invasion and their Exile in that foreign land. The Jews needed to keep remembering God’s past deeds to be able to trust him in the hard times.

Where are you? Have you just witnessed God do amazing things? Ensure that you take time to fully appreciate that. Give thanks and dwell on what this teaches you about God’s nature. Or are you in the wilderness, wondering if God has forgotten you? Build up your faith by remembering and giving thanks for the things God has done for you in the past, for he is faithful still.

Take two minutes to list as many answers to prayer as you can think of. Give thanks for them and reflect on what they teach you of God’s nature.

¹ Phil 1:3  ² John Goldingay, Psalms Vol ³, Baker Academic, 2008, p30