During 2025, Peachtree Church is focusing on the Book of Psalms with a series called Dwell, through which we seek to deepen our conversation with God and open ourselves to hearing his response. The practice of praying three times each day will unite the voices of our hearts and souls as we seek the day when we will see the full realization of the Kingdom of God, promised in Revelation 21:3: “…Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”
We will email devotionals twice weekly with Monday’s providing an overview of the Psalm as a whole, and Wednesday’s focused on that week’s Daily Dwell.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Psalm 119:105
Devotional
My kids are preparing for school by finalizing their course schedules. Avery gets to take advanced Algebra this year. This reminded me of my first semester in college. By far, my most challenging class was College Algebra, which caught me off guard, to be honest. My granddad was a math teacher. My dad works in finance. While other kids received stuffed animals as toys, our dad gave us multiplication table aids.
I struggled profoundly with College Algebra. At first, I thought the professor was the problem. He wasn’t very friendly and didn’t slow down for any of us who were falling behind.
I called my dad after the first couple of weeks to complain about it. He told me to visit the professor in his office for further assistance. I did, the next day. The professor seemed surprised that any students had found his office, let alone visited him and asked for his help.
Overcoming my pride and discomfort and seeking help saved my grade for that semester. It also helped me learn an important lesson.
This week, we entered the “Teachable” section for the Dwell series. Psalm 119 focuses on God’s word. There are eight different synonyms for God’s word in Psalm 119. The author knew that the reader/audience might grow weary of 176 verses of meditation on God’s word, so switching up the terms was a good way to keep the discourse moving.
Even though this lengthy Psalm employs various synonyms and superlatives to describe God’s word, it falls short of providing a step-by-step analysis of how God’s word teaches us and how that teaching transforms us.
It might be because teaching is more like an art form than an exact science. Students of all ages will experience this mystery over the next several months. Even though each of their teachers will have the necessary training and credentials to be their instructors, some of those teachers will be able to reach and inspire any individual student more effectively than others.
I think the reason my cranky Algebra teacher got through to me was because of the tension he created inside me when I went to receive his help. First, he alleviated any sense of shame I had about my struggle with math. Next, he led me to see a greater ideal while learning math: it wasn’t about scoring higher on the next test; it was about growing in my willingness and interest in not giving up.
I believe that reading God’s word and staying committed to it works similarly. Let’s be honest: the Bible’s contents can be challenging to understand. We’ll be tempted to give up and let others explain it to us.
I hope we will carry the same tension that I did in College Algebra. First, let’s leave aside any sense of shame about struggling with the Word of God. The Bible was not written to us; it was written for us. We are its guests, so we should give ourselves some grace in understanding its message.
Next, we should read the Bible not just to fulfill a reading assignment or become more familiar with its contents, but to strive for something greater: to get to know the God it bears witness to. That aim will spur us to keep reading and to enjoy it as we do so.
For Reflection
- Did you have a favorite teacher in school? What about them was different than the other teachers you had?
- Is there a section of the Bible that has been of particular interest to you? Why do you suppose that is?
- The Bible helps us discover, know, and follow God. What has the Bible taught you recently about God?
Prayer
Father, You are the source of all wisdom and truth.
Humble my heart to receive Your correction,
and anchor me in the security of being Your beloved child.
Jesus, You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Shape my spirit to follow Your example—
gentle, open, and eager to learn from the will of the Father.
Holy Spirit, You are my Counselor and Guide.
Soften my pride, illuminate my mind,
and lead me into deeper understanding and love.
Make me teachable, O Triune God,
not for my glory, but for Yours.
For Jesus’ sake, Amen.
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Devotionals