The worldview is that God’s laws are not relevant in the world today. Scriptures, however, tells us that we should “… delight in the law of the Lord …” (Ps. 1: 2 ESV). This devotion, the first in the Delight in the Law of the Lord series, explores what that means and how we can do that.
Nuggets
- We are to set our mind on the Godview, not the worldview.
- An easy progression to be drawn into sin through the worldview is to walk, stand, and sit in the presence of sin.
- Following God’s laws brings benefits: joy and understanding.
- We must choose to follow all of God’s laws daily, not just those we want to follow when we want to follow them.
Devotions in Delight in the Law of the Lord series
This is one of those devotions that I ran across a nugget when I was writing another devotion. The phrase “… delight in the law of the Lord …” (Ps. 1: 2 ESV) caught me. The worldview tries to tell us that rules, laws, and commandments are outdated. They are stifling. God paints a totally different story.
Let's Put It into Context
God’s laws are given to show us the difference between good and evil. Good equates to life, and evil equates to death (Deut. 30: 15). If we weren’t given the laws, we wouldn’t know right from wrong (Rom. 4: 15).
When Jesus came to Earth, He did not come to abolish the laws. Rather, He came to fulfill them (Mt. 5: 17). This is evidenced by Jesus’ response to the lawyer who asked what he must do to gain eternal life (Mt. 19: 16-18).
Walks, Stands, Sits
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night (Ps. 1: 1-2 ESV)
God’s laws are sprinkled throughout His Word. Exodus 20: 3-7 gives the Ten Commandments. The Book of Deuteronomy is a restatement of the law given in Exodus. Jesus clarified many of the laws in His teaching.
No, Jesus didn’t restate all of them. But look at Matthew 5: 17 again. He didn’t come to abolish any of the laws. He came to fulfill them.
They are all still applicable.
Psalm 1: 1-3 talks about our response to the laws of God. It gives us some “do” and “doesn’t” advice.Our human mind (carnal mind) opposes God (Rom. 8: 7). “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit” (Rom. 8: 5 ESV).
Think about it. What does the worldview say? The worldview tells us that we do not need God.
The worldview tells us that we do not need God. It tells us we can rely on ourselves. We are boss; we make our own decisions. We have to look at things only from our understanding.
The worldview would like to strip God of His ability to enforce the commandments. It would like to undermine His authority and power. One way it does this is by questioning His love.
In the worldview, people have evolved and no longer need to be limited by the rules that God instituted. People today think the Bible needs to change. The worldview says we are just supposed to tolerate others committing sin. It demands believers not talk about their beliefs because they are seen as intolerant.
God tells us not to follow the world’s lead. That is a path that leads to destruction (Mt. 7: 13-14).
Peter said it best. “… We ought to obey God rather than men” (Ac. 5: 29 ESV). Paul said that there is no condemnation when we follow Jesus (Rom. 8: 1).
Believers have freedom from the law’s consequences of sin and death. It doesn’t mean we won’t be punished when we sin; it means we will no longer receive eternal death.
Scoffers pick and choose what they are going to obey. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone” (Mt. 23: 23 NKJV).
Did you catch the progression there? At first, we may just be passing through, but we put ourselves in the proximity of sin. When we get used to that, we start standing and gawking. Finally, we sit down, pull our shoes off, and start building a relationship with that God has told us from which we should flee.
Delight in the Law of the Lord
Instead of following the worldview, we are supposed to delight in the law of the Lord. We are to welcome the boundaries. We need to embrace what is right and reject what is wrong.
Psalm 19: 7-11 gives us a wonderful description of the benefits of the law. “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward” (NKJV). Think of what the law can do for us!
Look at what it says. The law changes us. It fills our hearts with joy. God is pure and, knowing Him, helps us understand.
Meditates Day and Night
Just as we can’t choose which laws we will follow and which we will not, we can’t choose the when. It is to be a 24/7/365 following. “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it” (Josh. 1: 8 NIV).
There is a reason we should meditate on God’s laws. “How I love your instruction! It is my meditation all day long. Your command makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me. I have more insight than all my teachers
because your decrees are my meditation. I understand more than the elders because I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path to follow your word.” (Psalm 119: 97-101 CSB).
God gives us wisdom to face any enemy/situation we encounter. His wisdom is greater than any I or anyone else could give you. Look to Him to gain wisdom.
Making the Connections
The laws were written to introduce us to God. They show us His character.
True, we are to obey them. Yes, we will be punished when we don’t.
Discipleship is more than just following a checklist of doing the do’s and not doing the don’ts. It isn’t about rote memorization of what is right and wrong.
God wants us to change our character to be like Him. He wants us to want to be like Him. He wants that wanting to change us to our core.
It is that want that brings the delight. It brings the joy.
How Do We Apply This?
We can’t delight in the laws of the Lord without knowing them. We said they were interspersed all through His Word. That means we have to seek God.
Searching for and Seeking God
Hearing His Word (Rom. 10: 17).
Reading His Word (Rev. 1: 3).
Praying to Him (Heb. 4: 16).
Studying His Word (Ac. 17: 11).
Meditating on His Word (Ps. 1: 1-2).
Memorizing His Word (Ps. 119: 11).
In the next devotion, we will look at Psalm 1: 3. It will tell us the benefits of delighting in the law of the Lord.
Father. You have given us laws and commandments by which You want us to live. Following them will not only serve us well in this life, but will also help us when You come to bring us home to be with You. Lord, give us wisdom to interpret Your laws in each of life’s situations. Give us strength and courage as we come into conflict with the worldview. Amen.
What do you think?
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Your message has encouraged me to delight more in the Lord than the world
Great! I will be praying for you. Elaine
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Read this passage some times before and never noticed the progression and that spoke to me. For a college student, its easy to find yourself in situations that can cause you to drift if you’re not continually founding your foundation on the rock. Thanks for the post, Psalm 1 has blessed me with some good nuggets of wisdom.
My Ladies say we need to keep reread passages because we aren’t the person we were the last time we read it. God has grown us to where we can understand the next thing. Congratulations on navigating the Sanctification Road.
I am blessed by this exposition. Glory to God. Amen
I am so glad! Blessings. Elaine
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