Psalm 119:18 “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”
The English language has fallen into the hands of those who’ve ‘dumbed down’ its beauty and elegance. We, who are His children, do not study as we are commanded to do.
2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Through study, we find the Hebrew meaning of that word “wondrous.”
Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary
6381. פָּלָא pala (pâlâʼ)
פָּלָא pâlâʼ, paw-law’
a primitive root; properly, perhaps to separate, i.e. distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful:—accomplish, (arise…too, be too) hard, hidden, things too high, (be, do, do a, shew) marvelous(-ly, -els, things, work), miracles, perform, separate, make singular, (be, great, make) wonderful(-ers, -ly, things, works), wondrous (things, works, -ly).
To make great, things too high, marvelous, miraculous; that is the feeling “wondrous” is trying to convey.
But one word has stuck with me over the years regarding this verse – hidden.
To dissect and define this verse, we see:
‘Open my eyes that I may see the hidden things; things too high for me out of Your Word.”
A good prayer before each day’s devotion!
Prayers like that come from the heart of a seeker, one who has set their heart to seek God, not knowing what they might find, but knowing it will be far better and for their edification.
The mystery of verses hidden from us is not because, like Daniel, they were not for us to know now. It is far more likely; we have grown lazy, uninterested in the things of God. We have our fire insurance policy and the guarantee of Heaven – What more is there?
Oh, to have a heart like the Apostle Paul!
Philippians 3:8-11 “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”
May God awaken in us a fire that will not be quenched. A desire to know Him above all else! To seek His presence and live there more than any worldly activity in which we partake.
With that desire in our hearts, God then reveals Himself to us.
Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
