Scripture Reading(s)
Psalm 119:33-40
119:33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end.
119:34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
119:35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.
119:36 Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain.
119:37 Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways.
119:38 Confirm to your servant your promise, which is for those who fear you.
119:39 Turn away the disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.
119:40 See, I have longed for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life.
Reflections
In the Israelite lifestyle, following the commands of God was synonymous with being blessed. It was generally assumed that all blessing comes from God. This is why Job’s friends assumed that he must have had some sin in his life, which was why he was being placed in so much turmoil.
Today, we are under the gospel of grace but we aught desire to follow the commands of the Lord with the same conviction as the Israelites. As Paul diseases in his letter to the church in Rome;
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? (Romans 6:1)
We may not be bound to the law as the Israelites were but we are still called to follow the example Christ set for us. Our obedience to Jesus is our witness to the world that we are followers of Christ. It is the light that we are not to hide under a bushel basket. Before I was a Christian, I was always impressed by the Christians that I knew who truly followed in Christ’s footsteps. I admired them for their strength and determination. Today as a saved person I want to emulate Jesus just as they did so that my life can be a witness to others, just as the life of other Christian’s was a witness to me.
Therefore, let us desire to know and understand the commands and ways of God, that we can we can draw others to the gospel and when we reach our father in heaven, He will say to us,
‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Matthew 25:21, 23)
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