In Psalm 119:125, the Psalmist prays: “I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies.”  There is an interesting relationship here between the servant of God and the word of God:

— First, he pleads to know the word on the basis that he is God’s servant.  In other words, it is the relationship he has with God, as His servant, which gives him the basis to ask for understanding of His word.  Those who are not committed servants of God have no basis for this claim, which is why those who do not know God can never truly grasp the truth of His word.  Thus ungodly professors at secular universities (or even apostate so-called “Christian” institutions), though very “learned”, cannot truly get at the meaning of scripture.  They cannot understand it, for they are not servants of God.  It is only the one who can say to God, “I am Your servant” to whom He will give the understanding of His word.

— But secondly, the word “servant” here implies actual active SERVICE.  This verse challenges some of us who consider ourselves to be “servants” of God because we are conservative Bible-believers.  But can you really claim this verse?  Are you really a “servant” of God in the sense that you are really SERVING Him?  Are you DOING what God shows you in His word?  It is one thing to declare that you are His servant, and to desire an understanding of the Bible; it is another to ask Him to give you understanding that you may actually SERVE.  If you are really God’s servant, committed to serve Him daily from what He shows you in His word, then you can have every confidence to claim the promises of a prayer like this one: “I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies.”