Reflections (by J. Kim)
Our psalmist is in prayer asking for many things. He asks, "Open my eyes, that I may consider the
wonders of your law." We may
not think of the law as wonderful,
but rather may consider it restrictive and harsh, but if we learn to do His will, we find that we are liberated,
set free from the sin that drags us down. We choose life instead of death.
The Lord reveals to us very clearly how to live a life that is "happy" and full of peace. "Happy are those who observe
God's decrees, who seek the Lord with
all their heart."
However, with man's sinful nature, we are
likely to fall far short. God never intended
to justify anyone through the Law of Moses.
Rather, the law shows us where we are sinful.
Fortunately for us, God sent his son among us
to redeem us from those sins
If we are not sure where sin lurks in our lives,
then our prayer becomes the words of the
psalmist, “Give me discernment, that I may
observe your law and keep it with all my heart.”
then our prayer becomes the words of the
psalmist, “Give me discernment, that I may
observe your law and keep it with all my heart.”
The closer we walk with the Lord, the brighter
He shines his goodness into the darkest corners
of our minds and hearts. And it's exactly the
purity of our innermost thoughts and motives
that matters most to the Lord. Even the Scribes
and Pharisees were good at following the law
with their actions. The Gospel asks us to delve
further than that, and make following the law
about the condition of our inner selves.
He shines his goodness into the darkest corners
of our minds and hearts. And it's exactly the
purity of our innermost thoughts and motives
that matters most to the Lord. Even the Scribes
and Pharisees were good at following the law
with their actions. The Gospel asks us to delve
further than that, and make following the law
about the condition of our inner selves.
(Matthew 5: 17-37)
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our psalmist affirms that those who walk in the law of the Lord, those
who observe His decrees, will be happy and blessed. Based on your own experience, how does our Savior lift you back up and restore you when you stumble?
2. The Psalm's verses petition the Lord to instruct us in the way of His statutes. Tell of how you receive guidance and discernment from
the Lord that will help you observe His law and keep it with all your heart.
Psalm 119 is a very long Psalm on the glories of God's law. The Psalmist is thanking God for the Mosaic Law -- understanding that it is a gift, a manual for living well.
ReplyDeleteThe phrase "whole heart" is repeated in the passage. Verse 2 says, "Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart..." while Verse 34 says, "Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart." Elsewhere in the Psalm, the phrase is to be found numerous times. When God repeats a message, we ought to listen.
It makes sense to conclude, then, that following the law is not just about actions. Even the Pharisees and Sadducees did that - to a twisted extreme. What is most important to the Lord is our interior heart. What are our motives for trying to live justly? Are we seeking to gain something in return from the Lord, or acting out of pure love and obedience?
God is love. By definition, he is incapable of giving us something that is not for our benefit. If the Ten Commandments were given to his people, we know that they are for our good, for our peace -- both externally in society, and internally in our hearts. It follows that if we do our best to uphold them, including all of the extensions of the law Jesus introduces in the Gospel, we will live a fulfilling life.
Is it difficult? Yes! But the more we try, with our pure inner selves, tthe more grace we're given to do it.