As a former classroom teacher, one of my continual concerns was to check for understanding. Were my students grasping what I was teaching? Did they have a good understanding of the concepts we were covering in class? Would they be able to take what they had learned and apply it to a real world situation?

Some days I see God working in my life checking for understanding. I often ask myself, “Am I understanding what God is trying to show me?, Am I able to apply what He is teaching me?” I know that following my own understanding of things will end up in a mess, but He promises to give understanding if I look to Him.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

There are days when I know I’m not yet seeing what He is guiding me toward; there are pieces that I do not yet understand. I have assurance in those times that if I continue to come into Him, He will give me understanding.

“Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.” Psalm 119:73

Once He opens my eyes so that I can understand what He is speaking to my heart, then I am to follow Him applying what He is teaching me.

“Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.” Psalm 119:34-35

As I seek Him, as I continue to listen to His word and His instruction, the way before me becomes clear and I have assurance in the way that He is directing me.

“So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:2-6

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments : his praise endureth for ever.” Psalm 111:10

So it is that I can have a “Good Understanding” of the way ahead, if only I come before Him in full surrender as I embrace His commandments in every aspect of my life. I can begin to master the concepts He is teaching me, applying what I am learning from His Word.