Reflections
Psalm 19: 8, 9, 10, 11This Psalm celebrates the law of the Lord,
first given to the Israelites that day on Mt. Sinai in the desert. “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul; his statutes are true, all of them just.”
But more than a set of rules that we cannot hope to follow, God’s commandments give us wisdom; they ‘rejoice our hearts; they are more ‘desirable than gold, sweeter also than honey.’
The Word is the same way;
even though we may be convicted by the Word,
our Savior Lord Jesus came to fulfill the law
and make us right with the Lord.
And just as the disciples came to believe in the scriptures
when Jesus was raised, we too know Him as the ‘Word made flesh,’
the one who perfected the ‘wisdom of God.’
Our Psalmist David shows us that obeying the law does not prevent us
from being happy. Instead, obeying the Law “brings much reward.”
We may think of statutes as something intended to control us or restrict us,
but as our psalmist explains, the law of the Lord
is in fact a source of joy, something to be desired,
because the law gives us wisdom and provides us with something
we can trust.
This Psalm tells us about the joy that is stirred up in our hearts
when we follow the Lord’s commands.
“The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.”
The Word and the statutes endure forever.
They are refreshing to the soul; they enlighten the eye.
It is through the Word that we know his commandments
and through this Psalm that we know His law is
a source of refreshment, a source of joy.
His statutes do not bind us, they set us free.
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our psalmist says that the ordinances of the Lord
are 'sweeter than honey.' How can it be that, instead of being harsh,
the commandments of the Lord are sweet to the taste? Explain.
2. Our psalmist says that the commandments of the Lord
are a source of joy -- they 'rejoice the heart.' Tell about how
obeying the commandments can be a source of joy in your life.
LOVE GOD, AND LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR..........how
ReplyDeleteclear, how simple, how easy to follow. His commandments do not bind us, they
set us free, and bring us joy for a job well done. We've all experienced these
feelings when we've done the "RIGHT" thing. Sin, on the other hand, brings
about guilt, sorrow, and fear of the unknown consequences. Too many of us
get too hung up about "sin." Do what is right for God, you, and your neighbor
and peace will come, and your future will be assured.
The laws of the Lord are so much for our joy, that David compares them to gold and honey. During his time, what could have been more precious than gold and sweeter than honey? Not much. And yet, the Lord's commands lead us to GREATER than such reward! In addition to providing JOY, following the commandments PROTECTS us from sin. I feel that God's laws are tough to follow; I can slip easily into fleshly "joys" which don't last, dwell in self-condemnation, and ultimately feel like a failure. God does not set us up for failure though -- He is there to give us the grace and wisdom to follow His commandments. He wants our happiness. A happy, joyful person is more effective in spreading God's word than one who is enslaved to following the law with his or her own strength.
ReplyDeleteThe commandments aren't laws that dictate how we live. They are important and help us make the right choices in life. We can only do this of we correctly follow and understand them. It is truly a good thing that God gave such rules that we can follow. It is also good that we know what God wants.
ReplyDeleteThe commandments aren't laws that dictate how we live. They are important and help us make the right choices in life. We can only do this if we correctly follow and understand them. It is truly a good thing that God gave such rules that we can follow. It is also good that we know what God wants.
ReplyDelete1. His statutes are sweet because the law of the Lord is perfect, true and just. And God's commands give us wisdom: they rejoice our hearts and are refreshing to our souls----a source of joy. When I set aside the time to be alone with God and go into His presence and be still and feel His presence and listen to him, He touches me. He fills me with peace and joy which is stirred up in my heart.
ReplyDelete2. I have problems to get along with my neighbors and not to accept them the way they are because of my haughty eyes, which is sinful. But with God's Grace I surrender to Him. I repent and Jesus sets me free. As a reward, he bestows joy and peace upon me.