TAUGHT BY GOD

FEBRUARY 4

Psalm 25

Psalm 25:4, “Teach me your paths.”

“Teach me thy way, O Lord; teach me thy way!
Thy guiding grace afford; teach me thy way!
Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight;
lead me with heav’nly light; teach me thy way!”
–Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord; Author: B. Mansell Ramsey (1919)

Years ago, I taught a beginning algebra class at a community college.  The class was a prerequisite for most students, and some, having little appetite for math, took it only because they had to.  You’ve no doubt attended such classes.  There’s another course of study that is of much greater value, for it holds benefit both for now and eternity.  And it has the best of teachers, God Himself.

The twenty-two verses of this psalm begin consecutively with letters from the Hebrew alphabet, which is why it is referred to as an “Alphabetic” psalm. It is believed that David wrote this psalm later in life, driven by sorrow over his sin to seek God’s guidance and wisdom.

All sinners need to be taught by God. In His goodness, He instructs those who humbly recognize their need for Him (Psalm 25:8). While learning from wise and godly individuals is important, ultimately, everyone needs to be taught by God Himself. Proverbs 14:12 reminds us that the way that seems right to a man leads to death. This is the path we are naturally inclined to follow, but God’s ways are infinitely higher and better than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). To walk in His ways, we must first long to be taught by the Creator, who knows us intimately.

The believer in Christ hosts, in the Holy Spirit, a teacher who is preeminently qualified (1 John 2:27). There’s no need to travel to a distant school because the Spirit resides in the heart of every Christian. Day by day, He patiently reveals the truth of God’s Word, guiding us in matters of godliness. Regardless of our earthly education or intellectual ability, the Spirit’s capacity to teach surpasses all our limitations. All that is required is a Bible and a heart that desires the truth.

Sin teaches us that we need God to save and transform us. The prayer to “teach me Your paths” arises from a recognition of both our sin and God’s holiness. Is God your teacher? Are you seeking to know and walk in His ways? There is no more vital education than this.

“Until the race is run, until the journey’s done, until the crown is won, teach me thy way!”—B. Mansell Ramsey

Application Questions: A good student possesses a teachable spirit.  How teachable are you when it comes to the things of God?  Do you even now yearn for the truth as a newborn babe longs for its mama’s milk (1 Peter 2:2)?  Ask God to grant you such a desire.

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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