Today's Scripture Readings:
Psalms 19:7-14
Exodus 19:16 - 21:21
Matthew 23:13-29
Proverbs 7:1-5
Today's Scripture Focus: Psalms 19:7-14
"The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; They are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping of them there is great reward." (Psalms 19:9-11 NIV)
In
our Exodus reading we see that God gives the Law to the people through
Moses. The Ten Commandments flow from the character of God--his
perfection. As such they are a reflection of the will and wisdom of an
all knowing, all-wise God. They are principles that give us a good
foundation for living life in a way that pleases God.
In Matthew we read about the Pharisees who had misused the law as a tool for legalistic self-righteousness and as an intolerable burden placed upon others. That was never God's intent--and the hypocrisy of the Pharisees is clearly spelled out by Jesus.
But the Psalmist views the law as the revealed will of God--principles that keep us on the right road. He views the law as a delight, a treasure and as something that brings great joy to the one who fears the Lord and walks in his ways.
I think we often see the negative side, without seeing the positive. The law, as expressed clearly in the Ten Commandments, does give us a good foundation for knowing right and wrong. It points out our sin and points us to Christ--the one who is it's fulfillment. The
Psalmist speaks of meditating on the law so that he will not fall into "willful sins; may they not rule over me". Indeed the law is very helpful in knowing the will of God--right and wrong.
Of course, we know that attempting to do good works in our strength as a means to salvation doesn't work. The law points out our need for Christ's death on the Christ. He lived a perfect, sinless life and died for us so that we can have eternal life--a gift of his grace (Ephesians 2:8-10). It also points out our need for the empowering of his Holy Spirit to live our lives daily to the Glory of God. Yet we can rejoice in meditating on it and allowing it to develop a
reverential fear of God that will guide us on the right path--the delightful path that leads to joy.
With Joy,
Pastor Jeff
Tomorrow's Scripture Readings:
Psalms 20:1-9
Exodus 21:22 - 23:13
Matthew 24:1-28
Proverbs 7:6-23
©2004 by Jeffrey R. Syverson. Feel free to share with others, but give
credit where credit is due.
In Matthew we read about the Pharisees who had misused the law as a tool for legalistic self-righteousness and as an intolerable burden placed upon others. That was never God's intent--and the hypocrisy of the Pharisees is clearly spelled out by Jesus.
But the Psalmist views the law as the revealed will of God--principles that keep us on the right road. He views the law as a delight, a treasure and as something that brings great joy to the one who fears the Lord and walks in his ways.
I think we often see the negative side, without seeing the positive. The law, as expressed clearly in the Ten Commandments, does give us a good foundation for knowing right and wrong. It points out our sin and points us to Christ--the one who is it's fulfillment. The
Psalmist speaks of meditating on the law so that he will not fall into "willful sins; may they not rule over me". Indeed the law is very helpful in knowing the will of God--right and wrong.
Of course, we know that attempting to do good works in our strength as a means to salvation doesn't work. The law points out our need for Christ's death on the Christ. He lived a perfect, sinless life and died for us so that we can have eternal life--a gift of his grace (Ephesians 2:8-10). It also points out our need for the empowering of his Holy Spirit to live our lives daily to the Glory of God. Yet we can rejoice in meditating on it and allowing it to develop a
reverential fear of God that will guide us on the right path--the delightful path that leads to joy.
With Joy,
Pastor Jeff
Tomorrow's Scripture Readings:
Psalms 20:1-9
Exodus 21:22 - 23:13
Matthew 24:1-28
Proverbs 7:6-23
©2004 by Jeffrey R. Syverson. Feel free to share with others, but give
credit where credit is due.