Psalm 119 tells us so many things about God’s word. Yet, if we find categories helpful, we can conveniently divide all those things into two categories.
- Much of what is said concerns taking a proper approach to God’s word.
- Most of the rest is in praise of the benefits that spring from his word.
Of these two categories, we will find more said about the first in the portion covered in this article. But we may find the little bit that is said about the benefits of the word the most memorable or more surprising part.
We are to receive the word in a willing and active manner. We are to delight in it, to love it. “…for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love. 48 I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.
We are to choose as our companions those who keep God’s word. “I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts” (63).
We are to think of God’s word constantly. “Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law. 62 At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules” (61-62).
We are to actively receive the word, to share it with others, and to be quick in obeying it. “I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame, 47 for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love” (46-47).“When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; 60 I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments” (59-60).
We are to expect that God’s law will give freedom. This is not the normal human expectation regarding law. We often think of law as something restrictive. We ought to know better, and we ought to teach better.
Without just law properly enforced, it is not possible for anyone to enjoy the freedoms we supposedly have.Even our secular life shows us that the right kind of law gives freedom. In a land of lawlessness, one cannot move about freely.
A teacher once began the school year by informing the students that, “We have only one rule in this classroom. That rule is ‘there will be no rules in this classroom.’” She then asked the students what they would like to do with their day. Someone suggested playing a game. The teacher said that was fine, but when they tried to play the teacher kept interrupting to point out that there could be no rules. The students quickly learned the lesson. Without rules we cannot even have fun playing a game.
Proper attention to the proper law gives freedom from fear.Legalism does not give this freedom but then legalism is diametrically opposed to God’s word.Those who surrender to God’s word, even his word through Moses, could be free from fear. As Isaiah said, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (Isa 26:3). Or as one of the proverbs says, “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Prov 28:1).
Think for a moment about the most basic provisions of the Mosaic Law, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” and “you shall love your neighbour as yourself.” Those commands give us wonderful freedom. We are not bound to slavish obedience to a limited number of forms or specific actions but are called on to express love in the most appropriate way.
Proper attention to the proper law gives freedom from uncertainty. Our lives may be marked by more uncertainty and be more stressful than in past generations. But, if this is true, it is because we have made it true.
We agonize over decisions previous generations never had to make. We don’t really need to make some of these decisions either. We have foolishly given ourselves too many choices. Clothing decisions would be an example. The person who wears a simple uniform every day has freed his mind to think on other things. A closet full of clothes is a blessing from one point of view, but a decided disadvantage in another way.
More importantly, we agonize over moral decisions that ought to be cut and dried. We ask, “Shall I make this marriage work or shall I abandon it and try another mate? Shall I tell the truth or lie?” We stress over many things that we ought not to even consider.
If we just do what God says and let the chips fall where they may, it is simpler. It is less stressful. It gives the freedom to move on to other things. Taking on the burden of rewriting God’s word takes away our freedom by saddling us with a task we cannot handle. Letting God make those big decisions leaves us free to enjoy life.
So, it should be no surprise to us that those who know God’s word best and practice it most willingly live lives of freedom and confidence; while those ignorant of his word and those who try to circumvent it live in bondage to needless fears and uncertainties.
Don’t be a person with “just enough religion to make you miserable.” Let God’s word take your needless burdens away so that you can enjoy the freedom he wants you to enjoy.