IT IS SWEETER THAN A HONEYCOMB
Psalms 19:7-10 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure and enduring forever. 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.
I thought we were saved by faith in the grace of Jesus’ atonement? We are! Then why does the Bible say this and why am I writing about it today? Well, because both are true and being a universal truth, they will always be true. Psalms 19:7-10 were not only true for King David and those in his day, but for us as well. You see we live by Psalms 19 and we are saved by faith in the grace of Jesus’ atonement. Bot are important if we are to be all that God created us to be.
The law of the Lord is perfect at reviving the soul. But you may say but I can’t obey the law and it makes me feel guilty, and God even knows this. This is why he sent Jesus to atone for our sins. The law of the Lord isn’t one of condemnation, but one of hope. Jesus lived up to the law and showed us that even his atonement would not delete or take away from it. He went so far as to say not one comma or period could be changed. God’s law is perfect in every way as he is perfect. So we have hope in that we know God is perfect as his law and someday when we leave this earth to be with the Lord, we will be perfect as well.
The precepts or commands of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. A precept is a command or rule that gives guidance to how to regulate our thoughts or behavior. God created us to have a happy, joyful, blessed life. So much of what we do begins in our mind. Have you ever heard the saying, “Garbage in. (the brain) Garbage out?” (the mouth) Usually this is one that the parents like to promote. But it is true just the same.
Today we see something said or done on TV, and the next thing we know we are saying and doing the same thing. This is why they used to have TV censors. I say used to, because it seem we see so much violence and trash on it today. It is hard to get away from it. This past weekend I was watching a pro football game and a player made a touchdown and started making sexual acts with his body. The official gave him a penalty, but I wondered how many little kids would now do what they saw their hero doing. But praise the Lord there are good things on TV and in life that are good for us to see and hear. God’s’ word is intended not only to instruct us but to implant good things in our mind that they might go into our heart. God’s good things in our mind and heart will bring good things out of our mouth and life. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. I have heard all kinds of thoughts on this, but few seem to take God’s word as it is written regarding fearing the Lord. How can we love the Lord and fear him at the same time? Proverbs 9:10 tells us that fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom. I don’t think we can love the Lord properly until we first fear him. It is our fear of him punishing us for all eternity in hell that causes us to repent of our sins and seek forgiveness through Jesus. Then it is our fear of hurting the Lord that we daily strive to live a life pleasing to him. Our fear of disappointing or hurting the Lord motivates us to do what is contrary to the carnal nature of wanting our will rather than God’s will. It is our fear of the Lord that even causes us to reach out to the lost, so they might repent and come to know and love the Lord.
Becoming a Christian is a life changing experience. While our salvation is immediate and ongoing, our Christ-likeness is a process that only ends at our death and we are transformed in the twinkling of an eye. All of this comes the easiest for those Christians that fear the Lord. The fear of the Lord for a Christian does not drive us away from the Lord, but like a magnet draws us closer to him.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, please help us to always fear you, so that we may love and obey you. We ask this in your holy name.
