Delight In The Law Of The Lord

We live under a variety of laws. They dictate everything in our lives. We could have a discussion about how appropriate this is, but we will save that for another day. Do you pick and choose which laws to obey? Do you disobey laws with which you disagree? How do you respond to the laws that protect you? Do you resent them? I am talking about speed limits, air bag requirements, safe drinking water, licensing medical professionals, requirements for drug approvals, antitrust laws, and many others. Do you resent them, disobey them, or delight in them?

but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
Psalm 1:2 (NIV)

I have to confess…..

God has set forth many laws. Sure, they can be summed up in a few overarching principles, but they play out in our lives in a plethora of ways. Some of them I obey, others I ignore. I do not admit to myself that I resent God’s precepts, I live in denial of them. Sometimes I am just plain in rebellion. I do not like it when I cannot have my way. Only Jesus can fix this. Psalm 1 tells us we are to delight in the law of the Lord. We are not to resent them, or even be neutral. Gods laws are good. They are good for us. They guide us and protect us. We are to delight. What does it mean to delight in God’s instruction? It requires us to see His way as a better way. We should want to obey Him. We are to see that He is not out to spoil our fun. He has designed things a certain way. If we live in obedience and harmony with His laws of nature and of morality, we will prosper. We will find that they protect us and cause us to thrive. Join with me in an attitude adjustment.

Lord,
Forgive me for my resentment and disobedience. Instruct me. Show me your ways. Fill me with the Holy Spirit. Give me delight in Your instruction. Fill me with the joy that results from living consistently with you and your created order.
Amen

(This was inspired by “The Songs of Jesus” by Tim and Kathy Keller – Jan 1)

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