Understanding for the Simple

"Your statutes are wonderful;
    therefore I obey them. 
 The unfolding of your words gives light;
    it gives understanding to the simple. 
 I open my mouth and pant,
    longing for your commands. 
 Turn to me and have mercy on me,
    as you always do to those who love your name. 
 Direct my footsteps according to your word;
    let no sin rule over me. 
 Redeem me from the oppression of men,
    that I may obey your precepts. 
 Make your face shine upon your servant
    and teach me your decrees. 
 Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
    for your law is not obeyed."
Psalm 119:129-136 

The writer of the Psalm 119 understood the value of God's word. Everything that had been written previously was valuable to him. He understood that without the word of God, he was directionless. With them, he had a clear path set before him. We should understand what the Psalmist knew. If we will continue, faithfully in God's word, we will have the direction and peace that all of us desire. 
    I love this statement: "The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." In reality, all of us are the simple ones. We do not understand the ways of God, his thoughts are too lofty for us. We struggle with the reasons bad things happen. We live in bliss when everything goes our way, often forgetting to thank Him who has given such great blessings. Yet for the simple, there is great understanding available. It is found in the unfolding of God's words. To me this is more than just reading two chapters and then walking away with no memory of what was just read. To unfold God's word takes effort. It is the act of uncovering what is inside. This is not a quest for knowledge, it is a deep desire to apply the words of life to ourselves.. 
    There are those who study the Bible with great zeal. There are others who are faithful readers, but the idea of studying seems too difficult for them. There are also those who read very little or not at all. How do all of us receive God's understanding? I think it is found in the meditation of God's word. We can study, and that is good if it leads to new revelation for our lives. We can read and this is also good, for it plants seeds in our spirits that the Holy Spirit can cultivate to bring change. But when we meditate on God's word, we are agreeing and partnering with the Holy Spirit. We are in effect saying, "my mind is engaged with my spirit." In this way, the word of God can touch and change our spirits, souls, and bodies. 
    You don't have to be a student to meditate on God's word. If while reading, a particular verse or phrase jumps off the page, memorize it. Think about it when you pray or when you are lying on your bed at night. Ask God to open up his Word to you. The words of God are for our good. They are designed for us to apply to our daily lives. The Bible is the greatest book ever written to teach us how to live. It is God's words, spoken directly to us. Everyone wants to hear God's voice. Even those who are far away from God would say that they would love to hear God actually speak. He has already spoken to all mankind through the words of the Bible and he continues to speak to those of us who are willing to meditate on his words and allow them to become life to our spirits. He will bring new revelation, he will direct our paths, he will deliver promises for our future. But we must listen. We must make ourselves available for the Holy Spirit to quicken God's word to us. We are the simple. We need understanding...and God is waiting for us to pay attention.