I have taken greater delight in the way of your decrees
than in all manner of riches.
I will meditate on your commandments
and give attention to your ways.
My delight is in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
Psalm 119:14-16
Are you a big fan of rules and regulations? When is the last time you thanked God for a curfew, your Property Owner Agreements, or the city’s parking laws? Yes, we know that rules are important, but we just don’t like being told what to do. We want to be free to do whatever we want, whenever we want, however we want. Rules just get in the way(!)
But Psalm 119, the longest of all the Psalms, is a poem entirely devoted to the praise of God’s rules and regulations. This poet finds God’s Law to be truly delightful.
But why? Why does God’s Law lead the psalmist to such joy and delight? Here are three reasons:
1. God’s Law reveals God’s character. When we read commands in the Bible that tell us not to murder, lust, steal, or abuse people, we realize that God cares about individual people, their lives, their safety, and even their enjoyment. Later, when we read God’s Commission to go into
all the world to proclaim the Gospel, we see that God cares about all peoples, nations, races, tribes, and communities. In other words, God’s Law shows us that God is
love.
2. God’s Law shows us our sin. As we read God’s Commands, we see that we don’t measure up to God’s character. His Law shows us where and how we are unloving, selfish, idolatrous, prejudiced, unkind, unjust, or arrogant. We may not like to admit these things – and it hurts when we do – but confessing our sin is the first step to truly changing our lives. In other words, God’s Law leads us to
repentance.
3. God’s Law points us to Jesus. When we look at the love of God, and the sin that we bear, we see just how much we need forgiveness and strength to obey. Jesus provides us with both. By His blood, Jesus washes away our sin, and by His Spirit, He enables us to change and follow God. In other words, God’s Law gives us
hope.
So we can be big fans of God’s Law! By spending time reading, meditating on, and praying over Sacred Scripture, we will see God’s love, our sin, and Jesus’ hope. If you don’t know where to start, I’d suggest the Gospel of Luke. I pray that you – like the poet of Psalm 119 – will find God’s Law to be truly delightful!
In Christ,
Fr. BJ
