Live By It

I am often incensed at the gall of criminals. Not just that they show contempt for the law and for society by conducting themselves above the law but because when caught they will use the law for their own protection. It seems to me that if you aren't willing to live by the law then you should not enjoy it's protection when it suits your purposes and needs. It's unconscionable to ignore the laws that protect society but to cling to the laws which protect yourself.

This type of behavior is not limited to the criminal element in our culture but can be displayed by Christians in very covert ways. Consider the Christian who claims the salvation of Jesus Christ but serves the god of money in violation of the First Commandment. How about the Christian who gives his tithe but never pushes back from the table and is a glutton? What about the Christian who having promised 'till death us do part' cries "don't judge me" as they pursue a divorce of convenience? Surely you get the point.

My study verse today is

Psalm 119:146 (NIV)

¹⁴⁶ I call out to you; save me

and I will keep your statutes.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

When I first read this verse my initial inclination was to cry 'foul!' The reason being that it sounds very much like a negotiation with God along the lines of "If you'll do this, I'll do that." I am quite familiar with these types of offers and I am guilty of having said something similar numerous times in my life when confronted with the consequences of my own sin. You see, I am the person at the top of this post, or rather, I was.

Upon further study of this verse, having established the proper context with the surrounding verses, I see that this is no negotiation at all. It is rather a statement of present and ongoing fact. The psalmist, David, is three-quarters of the way through the longest book of The Bible wherein he extolls the virtues of God's law. Out of the 176 verses in this book, he mentions God's law or God's will in almost every verse. He very carefully and laboriously wrote this 'chapter' to extol the virtues of God's law. He refers to it using about ten different terms including; law, statutes, ways, precepts, decrees, commands, word, promise, faithfulness.

The reason for this is that David loves God's law. He knows that by obedience he may enjoy a long and prosperous life. Obedience allows us to live fully, safely, wisely and well. He knows that to run contrary to God's law is to call down present judgment on himself. He is THRILLED to have God's truth in his mind and God's wisdom in his heart.

With such a love for God and His decrees, David gladly follows and 'keeps his statutes' as stated in today's verse. It's not a negotiation on David's part for David is already keeping the statutes, obeying the law and following God's decrees.

I submit that our attitude with respect to obedience to God should be like that of David or more appropriately like that of Christ Jesus. Then, when we 'call out' to the Lord, he is faithful to save us.

Exonerated,

Carl