I have more understanding than all my teachers,

for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients,    because I keep Your precepts. Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light to my path (Psalm 119:99, 100, 105). Three things  bring wisdom,  understanding and guidance,  They are meditation on Scripture,  obedience to the laws and precepts of the Bible, and the illumination of His Word. It seems to me, one of the reason the Jews, on a per capita basis,  are so far ahead of the rest of the world (for example as a start up nation, and in terms of Nobel prizes etc.), is because of  their heritage of daily Bible reading  (Deuteronomy 6:7). But it's not just reading that gives superior understanding, it's Biblical meditation. It's not like Eastern meditation where you empty your mind. Biblical meditation is chewing on the Word,  as a cow chews the cud, going over and over it in our minds. If you know how to worry, you know how to meditate. Worry is meditation on the wrong thing!

There's a strong connection between obedience and knowing,  and understanding truth. Negatively we suppress the truth by unrighteousness and disobedience (Romans 1:18). It's basically rationalization. Nobody wants to think of themselves as a rascal, so we twist our thinking to accommodate our behaviour. It screws us up! Positively Jesus told us that if we chooses to do the will of God,   we will know that His teaching is from the Father (John 7:17).  It's progressive, as we exercise our spiritual senses to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:14). And we exercise our senses by meditation and obedience! There are times we get it wrong of course, but when our hearts are set on these things, the Word will show us where we went wrong,  and how to get back on track (2 Timothy 3:16).  Wisdom and understanding are  primary,  “wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7).

For the Christian direct guidance (as opposed to godly council etc.) comes primarily through the written and spoken (rhama) Word of God. Again is it not independent of mediation and obedience, but in the end,  it's about relationship.  He tells us “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5,6 NKJV).  We wont get direction about a job, or who to marry from the Bible.  So He directs our paths many times,  through our hearing His spoken word,  not usually audibly, but in our heart.  Jesus said “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27).  He is the light of the World,  and He lights our path step by step as we hear and  follow Him.  Note again, it is not independent of obedience!

Father, it is amazing to think we have access to You, the fount of all wisdom and understanding, and that You are far more willing to guide us,  than we are to come before You to ask for these things.  Forgive us Lord when we have neglected to do this,  and gone our own way. Thank You Lord that You always have our best interests at heart, and that You are worthy to be trusted. You have never let me down, and You wont start now. For these and many other things,  we give You thanks and praise in Jesus Name