Make me understand the way of Your precepts, so I will meditate on Your wonders.
Psalm 119:27
When you are in the midst of the great challenges of life, what do you pray? Trials can be such a distraction to us and can foster prayers that are very self-oriented. The psalmist reminds us that we often lack understanding regarding the “way” of God’s precepts.
The fact is that God is intentional in all He does and He has specific works that He desires to accomplish through His children.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
When we find ourselves facing complicated circumstances, we must remind ourselves that God has a plan. We need to ask God for help in understanding His precepts so that we do not miss God-ordained opportunities for personal growth and for ministry in the midst of our difficulty.
While God is very clear that trials are intended to benefit His children (James 1:2-3), it is easy for us to lose focus on God and His word and give all our attention to the fact that we are in the midst of a trial. Often this will lead to discouragement and despair.
The psalmist wants to understand the way of God’s precepts so that He can meditate on God’s wonders. Rather than dwelling on the circumstances, he chooses to consider God’s ways and purposes in all the circumstances of life.
When you are in the midst of difficulty, go to the word. Look how often God accomplishes incredible work in the midst of great trials. Recognize that trials often bring great opportunity. Don’t waste the pain you must endure. Use it for God’s glory.
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1–3