Thursday September 10th, 2015 Psalm 19
The law of the LORD is perfect?the decrees of the LORD are sure?the precepts of the LORD are right?the commandment of the LORD is clear?the fear of the LORD is pure?the ordinances of the LORD are true?More to be desired are they than gold?sweeter also tha
So ingrained is the thought that God’s law is somehow deficient, weak, or even redundant, that when we read words like Psalm 19 or 119 (Torah psalms, both), we are at a loss. It is beyond us that anyone could feel this way about the law. We feel sorry that they were so deluded, and we congratulate ourselves on our great spiritual advancements. We give lip service to the law, and that is about the extent of it.
But let us be clear on this: the Law was not given as a way to make oneself right with God. The people were already right with God, already chosen, already rescued. All on God’s initiative, too. It really wasn’t any different than it is now. Salvation always was, and always will be, God’s work, never ours.
No, the law instructs us how to live with and relate to God and one another. Which is why Jesus could sum it up in just four words: love God; love neighbour. Wonderful.
Thank you for your just law, O Lord. Help us follow it as we love you and our neighbour. Amen. — DAB
Contributed by The Good Law
So ingrained is the thought that God's law is somehow deficient, weak, or even redundant, that when we read words like Psalm 19 or 119 (Torah psalms, both), we are at a loss. It is beyond us that anyone could feel this way about the law. We feel sorry that they were so deluded, and we congratulate ourselves on our great spiritual advancements. We give lip service to the law, and that is about the extent of it.
But let us be clear on this: the Law was not given as a way to make oneself right with God. The people were already right with God, already chosen, already rescued. All on God's initiative, too. It really wasn't any different than it is now. Salvation always was, and always will be, God's work, never ours.
No, the law instructs us how to live with and relate to God and one another. Which is why Jesus could sum it up in just four words: love God; love neighbour. Wonderful.
