PRAISE THE LORD! I SAW THE LIGHT!

November 18, 2009

PRAISE THE LORD! I SAW THE LIGHT!

Psalm 119:153-176

Sarah Franks

Central Truth

The law should give us freedom in Christ, not enslave us.

I have wandered off like a lost sheep.
Come looking for your servant,
for I do not forget your commands.
(Psalm 119:176)

Resh

153 Look on my affliction and deliver me,
    for I do not forget your law.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me;
    give me life according to your promise!
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
    for they do not seek your statutes.
156 Great is your mercy, O LORD;
    give me life according to your rules.
157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
    but I do not swerve from your testimonies.
158 I look at the faithless with disgust,
    because they do not keep your commands.
159 Consider how I love your precepts!
    Give me life according to your steadfast love.
160 The sum of your word is truth,
    and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

Sin and Shin

161 Princes persecute me without cause,
    but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162 I rejoice at your word
    like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood,
    but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
    for your righteous rules.
165 Great peace have those who love your law;
    nothing can make them stumble.
166 I hope for your salvation, O LORD,
    and I do your commandments.
167 My soul keeps your testimonies;
    I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep your precepts and testimonies,
    for all my ways are before you.

Taw

169 Let my cry come before you, O LORD;
    give me understanding according to your word!
170 Let my plea come before you;
    deliver me according to your word.
171 My lips will pour forth praise,
    for you teach me your statutes.
172 My tongue will sing of your word,
    for all your commandments are right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me,
    for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, O LORD,
    and your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live and praise you,
    and let your rules help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
    for I do not forget your commandments.

After reading this passage, I initially thought, “Goodness! I am ridiculously jealous of the psalmist's obedience and devotion to the law!” I don’t know about you, but I feel more like Paul in Romans 7:21-24. There’s often an intense battle of good and evil inside my heart. I want to do the right thing, but my stinkin’ flesh craves the opposite. So I wind up in a tizzy, striving in my own strength to navigate the pursuit of good, which instead leaves me tired and lost, much like a wandering sheep.

But wait. Is the intention of God’s law to enslave us? Is this passage illustrating that only a select few folks are lucky enough to be free and truly delight in the law? Fortunately, the answer is unequivocally "no." By illuminating our sinful selves, the law mercifully shows us how we cannot do it alone and that we must be saved, which Jesus accomplished through his work on the Cross. We are free!

Why, then, are we still living as slaves? Well, we like to be in control. Instead of viewing the law as a means to freedom through Christ, we see it as a list of rules that could control us.

Over the past two years, I have embarked on a rather nerve-wracking journey of allowing my heart to be continually stirred and the yucky parts uncovered. I have shared my sins and struggles with a community of believers, even though I had planned to bottle up those struggles permanently in my heart (see? control!). Although I wouldn’t necessarily categorize it as fun, it is amazingly freeing to allow our compassionate Father to deal with sin once it is in the light. Only then can we live with the intimacy and freedom God intended for us.

Although it is a daily decision, I now fully delight in the law, as it reveals my unwavering need for Jesus, compelling me to draw near to Him with joyful praise, just as it did for the psalmist in this passage. Praise the Lord! I saw the light, and so can you!

1. What comes to mind when you think of God's law?

2. Do you live in slavery or in freedom?

3. Are you willing to allow God to shine His light into your heart and reveal sin?

4. Are you sharing authentically with a community of believers, permitting them to encourage you in your pursuit of Christ?