Day 736: Psalm 119: 113-144~ Love, Law, And Lord

Samekh
113 I hate the double-minded,
    but I love your law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield;
    I hope in your word.
115 Depart from me, you evildoers,
    that I may keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,
    and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
117 Hold me up, that I may be safe
    and have regard for your statutes continually!
118 You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,
    for their cunning is in vain.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,
    therefore I love your testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of you,
    and I am afraid of your judgments.
Ayin
121 I have done what is just and right;
    do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Give your servant a pledge of good;
    let not the insolent oppress me.
123 My eyes long for your salvation
    and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
    and teach me your statutes.
125 I am your servant; give me understanding,
    that I may know your testimonies!
126 It is time for the Lord to act,
    for your law has been broken.
127 Therefore I love your commandments
    above gold, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
    I hate every false way.
Pe
129 Your testimonies are wonderful;
    therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
    it imparts understanding to the simple.
131 I open my mouth and pant,
    because I long for your commandments.
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
    as is your way with those who love your name.
133 Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
    and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from man's oppression,
    that I may keep your precepts.
135 Make your face shine upon your servant,
    and teach me your statutes.
136 My eyes shed streams of tears,
    because people do not keep your law.
Tsadhe
137 Righteous are you, O Lord,
    and right are your rules.
138 You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness
    and in all faithfulness.
139 My zeal consumes me,
    because my foes forget your words.
140 Your promise is well tried,
    and your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised,
    yet I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is righteous forever,
    and your law is true.
143 Trouble and anguish have found me out,
    but your commandments are my delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever;
    give me understanding that I may live.
 
Meditation
God’s grace awakens us to walk in God’s ways, loving God with all our heart and loving our neighbors as ourselves. To love God is to love God’s law, His Divine design for all of life. Jesus is the “visible expression of the invisible God” and “the exact imprint of God’s nature” because He came “not to abolish the law but to fulfill it.” God’s grace invites you to love God by loving God’s word and God’s ways.
 
God and His rules for life are one in the same. “Righteous are You, O Lord, and right are your rules” (137). God’s righteousness flows forth righteous ways (138, 144) because God is righteous forever and His word is true (142). God Himself is the headwaters to the revelation of His word and His ways.
 
The Psalmist loves God’s word (140) and knows God’s law is “wonderful” (129), gives light (130), fulfills true longing (131), and is a blessing (135) for those who have been redeemed by God’s grace. Paul agrees when he describes God’s law with descriptions of God Himself: holy, just, and good (Romans 7:12). For this reasons Paul, “delighted in God’s law in His inner being” (Romans 7:22). Grace awakens us to love God and live with Him as Lord of all our life.
 
Jesus taught that if we love Him then we will obey Him (John 14:15-17). Those saved by grace will walk in God’s ways and look like the God who saved them, “imitating God” as part of the family of God (Ephesians 5:1-2).
 
Richly Dwelling
-If someone took an inventory of your life and was asked to evaluate what you love by looking at what you obey then what or who would they say you love?
 
-Do you see how the Psalmist reveals the unity of God and His word and ways? When we see this, we understand that to reject God’s law is to reject Him. How does this sit with you?
 
-Jesus fulfilled the law and then died to pay the penalty for us rejecting God and His law so that His grace can awaken us to love Him and obey Him. Take time now to thank Him for this gift and ask Him to show you areas of life He is calling you to deeper obedience in.
 
Key Verse
137 Righteous are you, O Lord,   and right are your rules.