The Perfect Law of the Lord

Psalm 19:7-14

English Standard Version (ESV)

^7 (A)The law of the Lord is perfect,^{[a]
    (B)}reviving the soul;
^(C)the testimony of the Lord is ^(D)sure,
    ^(E)making wise ^(F)the simple;
^8 (G)the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is ^(H)pure,
    ^(I)enlightening the eyes;
⁹ the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules^[b] of the Lord are ^(J)true,
    and righteous altogether.
¹⁰ More to be desired are they than ^(K)gold,
    even much ^(L)fine gold;
^(M)sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of ^(N)the honeycomb.
¹¹ Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    ^(O)in keeping them there is great reward.

^12 (P)Who can discern his errors?
    ^(Q)Declare me innocent from ^(R)hidden faults.
^13 (S)Keep back your servant also from ^(T)presumptuous sins;
    let them not have ^(U)dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
    and innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight,
    O Lord, my ^(V)rock and my ^(W)redeemer.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2019:7-14&version=ESV)

 

Often times we hear people say that they want to enjoy life.  They want to put off the Christian life because there are just too many rules to follow and they want to have fun.  If we as Christians give this impression to people then we are not living out the law of God very well at all.  In our scripture today we see that the law of the Lord is freeing.  It tells us that the law of the Lord should be rejoicing to our heart, enlightening the eyes, it should be desired more than gold and sweeter than honey, so why then, do people see it as a restraint?

 

The answer to that question could be a multiple of reasons.  First of all, those who see sin as fun are those who do not see God as the eternal being that He is.  They do not see the all-powerful Judge, their Creator; they rather see themselves as the only purpose for being on this earth. They live life for today and not for eternity.  Because of that, they want no restraints put on them and they think life is better without following the laws of God. 

 

Another reason may be that some people, even though they believe in God, even proclaim to trust in Him still do not fully understand what the law is about.  Jesus made it clear that the law is summed up in two commands.  Love the Lord your God . . . and love your neighbor. . . yet that is something that we find difficult to do.  When we love the Lord above anything else, we are going to want to obey His laws, we are going to strive to always do what is right in His eyes and when He gives us the strength to do so and forgiveness when we fail, it is refreshing and delights the soul.  When we love our neighbor and help them in times of need we find delight in doing so but when we love ourselves more than others we find frustration and discontent in both our part and their part as well.  So to satisfy that discontentment some may try to expand the laws, make them more about actions rather than about the heart.  For example, they may think that if they go to church once in a while their sins will be forgiven but that is not what the law is all about.  We can’t just try to be a good person and fulfill the commands of the law.  When we work at it, then it is not from the heart and it is a restraint rather than a joy.

 

The last verse gives an answer that really spoke to me. We may think that it is out of place but in actuality I believe it answers our question.  If the words that come out of our mouth and if our heart is meditating in ways that are acceptable to God our lives will reflect it.  People who do not know Him won’t see people who have to follow laws, they will see people who are happy, rejoicing, and full of life.  They won’t see people who have to give up anything but rather people who have everything.  Those who want to live their lives for themselves are not content, even though they may try to get you to think they are.  They are continually searching for satisfaction in things that go against God’s laws and we find in these verses that rebellion is not what brings contentment in this life. 

 

As you seek Him, follow His commands and find that you have more freedom, more joy, and much more contentment when you confess to Him both known and unknown sins in your life.

 

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila