The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.
Psalms 19:7-12
We read in this beautiful psalm that God’s commands (His law, His statutes, His precepts, His decrees) are:
- perfect…they refresh our souls
- right…they give joy to our hearts
- radiant…they give light to our eyes
- pure…they endure forever
- firm…they all are righteous
How encouraging is that?!? What a merciful, gracious, kind, compassionate God we serve! Throughout time, He has communicated with His people and given them His commands. In the beginning, God told His man, Adam, ONE simple command—not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden (Genesis 2). To the children of Israel as they journeyed for forty years to the Promised Land, He gave them His rules to follow (e.g, Deuteronomy 6). When Jesus was instructing His disciples, He pulled it all together, giving them TWO direct commandments—to love God with their whole heart, soul, mind, all their strength and to love their fellow man as they loved themselves (Mark 12:29-31). Our hearts’ response to our loving God should be loving obedience…plain and simple. I pray that the following verses will be a reminder and encouragement for us all to trust and obey the Great I AM.
In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome.
1 John 5:3
I obey your precepts and Your statutes, for all my ways are known to You.
Psalm 119:168
Blessed are those who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart—
Psalm 119:2
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Thank You, dear Lord, for how gracious You are to us. You are not a harsh, exacting God Who demands perfection…rather You are a loving Father Who sets righteous, life-giving commands before us! You guide us and help us to seek You and obey You from our hearts. You are SO good!!! We love You, Father…and pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
