The Psalm reading for this coming Sunday is below, the first eight verses of Psalm 119.
PSALM 119:1–8
1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord!
2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,
who seek Him with their whole heart,
3 who also do no wrong,
but walk in His ways!
4 You have commanded Your precepts
to be kept diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping Your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all Your commandments.
7 I will praise You with an upright heart,
when I learn Your righteous rules.
8 I will keep Your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me!
The first three verses are quite clear; who can argue with these statements? NOBODY! Just like the law of the Lord itself, there's no wiggle-room here, no room for rationalizing and explaining down God's requirements. [See Sunday's Gospel reading for what Jesus says about the law's requirements!] Who can do these things? NOBODY! Verse four reinforces this point; God doesn't bend His rules or look away from our guilt. So, what can we do? How do we respond to these truths?
I suggest we follow the psalmist's lead, and pray the beautiful prayer of verses 5-8. This prayer recognizes our failures but also seeks to please God in our obedience, as limited as it is. But there's another benefit. A steadfast striving lifestyle with our eyes on God's commandments also produces an unashamed and upright heart! And the key to all of this we find in the final verse.
What is the key to being blessed & blameless? What is the key to our walking & keeping & seeking? What is the key to our steadfast & righteous ways? The key is this: God has NOT forsaken you, even though you utterly deserve it! Jesus perfectly did all these things, fulfilling the law of the Lord for you! In exchange for your sins, Jesus gives to you His righteousness! Jesus sets you free to live your joyful & forgiven life, living each day in His mercy & grace!
As a forgiven child of God, you are blessed & blameless in His eyes!
No comments:
Post a Comment