The Joy of the Law

Psalm 119

verse 2-3

Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.

verse 14-16

I have rejoiced in your laws as much as riches. I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.

verse 23-24

Even princes speak against me, but I will meditate on your decrees. Your laws please me; they give me wise advice.

verse 36-37

Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money! Turn my eyes from the worthless things, and give me life through your word.

verse 45-48

I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments. I will speak to kings about your laws, and I will not be ashamed. How I delight in your commands! How I love them! I honor and love your commands. I meditate on your decrees.

This is amazing to me! Who knew that joy and happiness could be found in obeying the commandments of God. I have found this to be a message all over the book of Psalm. We usually tend to forget about God's commandments and decrees because we are saved by grace and not by keeping the law. I mean think about it... when was the last time you heard a sermon on the radio about keeping God's law? 

The Psalmist is not saying anything about keeping the law for a means of salvation, he is speaking of keeping God's Law for the sake of pure joy. Words like joy, rejoicing, love, delight and honor are all used in connection with keeping God's Law! When I started reading Psalm 119 this morning, I noticed this theme is repeated over and over in this one chapter. 

This is a timely message for me. I am finding the more I disobey God in even the smallest things, the more miserable I become. Until I stop being so hard headed and just obey God, there is no hope for joy in my life. I need an eagerness for God's laws just like the Psalmist says:

verse 36 Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money!