When God Is Our Teacher

Have you ever had a good teacher? A good teacher loves to share their knowledge with you. They are generous, patient and answer questions you didn't even know you had. Teaching is like handing a key of knowledge to someone else so they can unlock a new door of possibilities. In my life I've been blessed with good teachers. Even now, a dozen names are running through my mind of those who either have or are still sharing their experience with me. Life becomes a garden of surprises and joys when you have others willing to invest in you.

But as wonderful as it is to learn from a human teacher, nothing is so amazing as when God Himself is our teacher. Psalm 25, which refers to God teaching five times, lifts the curtain on what it requires to have the Heavenly Father as our teacher.

Waiting For Him

Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

(Psalms 25:4-5)

Many ask God to show them His way, but this plea was the beat of David's heart. So deep was his resolve he was willing to wait on God. David would have known a thing or two about waiting for the Lord, which is no doubt why his psalms are so full of gritty determination to wait on the God of his salvation. No less is required of us. There has to come a moment when we would chose to wait on God to lead us instead of striking out on our understanding. It's hard. It takes all the trust we can muster and then some. But it's a must if we want to be taught by the Lord.

Confidence In His Character

Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.

(Psalms 25:8)

One of the makes or breaks when I'm looking for a teacher is their character. Right now I'm part of a membership group on how to build an online business. If the instructor lacks integrity in his business practices, then I run the risk of learning something that is unethical or illegal without even realizing it. It's crucial that I know what I'm being taught is true and right. With God, we have His word He is good and upright and will never teach in a way contrary to His nature.

Meekness To Trust Him

The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

(Psalms 25:9)

Nothing frustrates a teacher more than an unteachable spirit; God is no exception. God's ways are so high, so different from our own we'll completely miss it unless we have a meek and humble spirit. Meekness shows when we trust God enough to give up our schedule, our reputation, and our own understanding to wait for Him to teach us His way.

Fear To Obey Him

What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.

(Psalms 25:12)

The man who fears the Lord need not fret he will miss what God has to teach him. Over and over God commands us to wait on Him and then obey whatever He tells us to do. The warning in Proverbs 3:7 also reminds us that instead of being wise in our own eyes we are to fear the Lord. Too many lives have been wreaked – some beyond repair – because they did what they thought was right. Our wisdom at its best may really be foolishness in sheep's clothing. Instead of fearing what we don't understand may we fear -- and obey -- the Good Shepherd Who is ready to teach those who will wait for Him.