The Law of the Lord

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”

~ Psalm 19:7-11

I love these verses because of the way they separate God’s laws from the laws we currently have. The law of the Lord is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, enduring, true, and righteous. I don’t think I would describe any of the laws we have right now by any of those words. While I don’t find it difficult to follow laws, after all, most are common sense and keep us from danger, but I do find there are way too many laws, and most are redundant. I don’t think I would describe any of our laws today as pure, clean or righteous, and I wouldn’t say they are desired more than gold or are they sweeter than honey. That’s the difference between God’s laws and man’s laws. Man’s laws are designed to be followed under penalty of fines or imprisonment, God’s laws are designed to be followed out of love and for blessings. However, I see the reasoning and necessity of man’s laws, and until everyone is under the subjection of Jesus Christ, those laws will continue to be a necessity.

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith (1 John 5:3-4).”

We don’t obey God because of fear of penalty but out of love for what He has done for us. Those of us who lived a life of sin, who have been on the wrong side of man’s law, know that following the Lord is easy in comparison. When we accept Christ as our Savior, His laws are written on our hearts and put into our minds by the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 10:16). We don’t have to try to obey, we don’t have to try and be “good”. We are brought into a life lived out of love and joy because we know where we were, and where we were headed, before we knew the love and peace of Christ. If you are having a hard time keeping up with the laws of man, give your life and heart over to the Lord, His burden is light and easy to bear (Matthew 11:30).

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men (Romans 14:17-18).”

Read 2 Kings 21-23

Weekend Reading 2 Kings 24-25

©2018 Marie McGaha