January 21, 2020 -- Psalm 119:97 -- Learning to love the law of the LORD

Oh how I love your law!

It is my meditation all the day.

Psalm 119:97 English Standard Version

Here the word “law” is Torah. Torah is usually used in reference to the first five books of the Old Testament. Exodus 20 contains the Ten Commandments; Deuteronomy repeats the Ten Commandments and gives many instructions on the way of the LORD. Moses, inspired by the Spirit of God, directs the people as to how they should live in the Promised Land. Leviticus gives many instructions on the various sacrifices necessary for the people of God. All these laws point the people of God in the direction they should go so that they are distinct from the pagan people who surround them on all sides.

The very first verse of Psalm 119 reminds us that the way of blessedness is found in walking in the law of the LORD. Verse 2 declared blessed those who keep God’s testimonies and seek Him whole heartedly. Each step, each activity, from the moment one rises to the end of the day can be a paean of glorious praise to the High King of Heaven. When one spends time thinking of God, investigating His law and, and looking to Him for the direction of one’s life then the natural outflow of this will be keeping His commandments, loving His law and focusing one’s heart and mind on Jesus Who leads us to our Father in heaven.

The truth is, many of us find this verse weird. We don’t love the law of God. We aren’t seeking His direction every moment and in all things. We cannot fathom what this poet is trying to teach. If you are curious about this, no doubt the Spirit of God is working in your heart. If you wonder what this can mean, ask the Spirit of Truth to lead you to understand the significance of these words. Pray that the Spirit of Truth will give you both the will and the courage to put into practice the things He shows you.

A word of caution is appropriate here. No doubt changing the course of your life will have consequences. Your spouse or your friends, perhaps your co-workers, will be surprised that you no longer do the things you used to do. You will find your old sinful patterns and habits pushing up against you harder than usual…because you are fighting against them for the glory of God. Know this—the same Father Who is the source of every good, has given us Jesus Christ—Who prays on our behalf at the Father’s right hand. Jesus, Who was tempted in every way, but was without sin, knows how the flesh is weak. Trust that the Spirit of God Who has stirred up this curiosity in you, will also give you all you need to withstand the queries and challenges you face because of your newfound desire to follow in the law of the LORD.

Ultimately, it is not a set of rules you are following. It is not joyful bean-counting—do this, avoid that, watch out for those things—instead, meditating on the law of the LORD means fixing one’s eyes and heartfelt devotion on the King of kings and LORD of Lords and honouring Him alone. Obedience reveals to our hearts and minds: we are sons and daughters of the God Whose glory fills the earth and sky.

Spirit of the Living God, what the psalmist describes—loving Your law and meditating on it all the day—is something that is intriguing me and stirring up a longing I can’t quite understand. Give to me, Holy Spirit, both the will and the courage to practice the things You are showing me. Change me from the inside out so that my life reflects the radiance of Jesus Christ and brings glory to our Father in heaven. Prepare me, Spirit of Wisdom, for the push-back of my co-workers and friends. Steel my will so that I won’t be too self-conscious and pull back from following in the way everlasting. Thank You, Jesus, for seeking after lost sheep like me and patiently bringing us to Your healing grace. Amen.