True Knowledge
Heth
You are my portion, Lord;
I have promised to obey your words.
I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
I have considered my ways
and have turned my steps to your statutes.
I will hasten and not delay
to obey your commands.
Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
I will not forget your law.
At midnight I rise to give you thanks
for your righteous laws.
I am a friend to all who fear you,
to all who follow your precepts.
The earth is filled with your love, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
Psalm 119:57-64
Here is a radical statement. The earth is filled with the love of God. And the shape of that love? God’s decrees.
Have you ever had a friend or a relative whose household was chaotic? I grew up with a really good friend whose family was like this. There were no rules. The kids got away with anything and everything. And they suffered for it (they still do I think).
One of the great lies of our time is that God’s laws are not loving.
But only a brief reflection will tell you otherwise. Do not lie. Do not steal. Do not murder. These are boundaries that keep us from chaos and the domination of the weak by the strong. Love your neighbour, be sacrificial and generous in service. God’s decrees are love.
But what about the other stuff? What about God’s decrees on sexuality? Or His boundaries on the roles of men and women? Surely a loving God would allow people to live according to their feelings?
Here is the question to ask. Could God know better? Is it healthy for all feelings to be acted upon? Or could it be possible that for the sake of individual good and the good of society God might give us boundaries that restrict acting on personal feelings?
I suggest that this too is God’s love.
For Today:
Pray: Praise the Father that He is love and loves us with His commands. Give thanks for Jesus who loved God and people by following His Father’s decrees perfectly. Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others see His love in His commands.
You are my portion, Lord;
I have promised to obey your words.
I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
I have considered my ways
and have turned my steps to your statutes.
I will hasten and not delay
to obey your commands.
Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
I will not forget your law.
At midnight I rise to give you thanks
for your righteous laws.
I am a friend to all who fear you,
to all who follow your precepts.
The earth is filled with your love, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
Psalm 119:57-64
Here is a radical statement. The earth is filled with the love of God. And the shape of that love? God’s decrees.
Have you ever had a friend or a relative whose household was chaotic? I grew up with a really good friend whose family was like this. There were no rules. The kids got away with anything and everything. And they suffered for it (they still do I think).
One of the great lies of our time is that God’s laws are not loving.
But only a brief reflection will tell you otherwise. Do not lie. Do not steal. Do not murder. These are boundaries that keep us from chaos and the domination of the weak by the strong. Love your neighbour, be sacrificial and generous in service. God’s decrees are love.
But what about the other stuff? What about God’s decrees on sexuality? Or His boundaries on the roles of men and women? Surely a loving God would allow people to live according to their feelings?
Here is the question to ask. Could God know better? Is it healthy for all feelings to be acted upon? Or could it be possible that for the sake of individual good and the good of society God might give us boundaries that restrict acting on personal feelings?
I suggest that this too is God’s love.
For Today:
- Do you see God’s love in the commands He gives?
- Do you struggle with some of God’s commands?
- Spend some time today reflecting on these things?
Pray: Praise the Father that He is love and loves us with His commands. Give thanks for Jesus who loved God and people by following His Father’s decrees perfectly. Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others see His love in His commands.
Posted in Psalms
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