Declaring for God

During Lent & Easter we will be paying attention to some of the Psalms. Today, (March 11, Lent 3) we look at Psalm 19

This is a beautifully structured psalm.

Everything about creation speaks of God.

The Psalmist (who may or may not be David) tells us that every day

when the sun rises and blasts the earth

we see a sign of what God has done and is doing

The core of the psalm

Then at the heart of the psalm we are given some teaching about the Torah..the Law

Remember that the Law is

not about the instructions, the rules, the legislation & laws

but about how we order and live our lives

In fact the psalm tells us about the nature of the law

It is indeed Law-this wholistic way of life

it is decrees- what is declared to be true

Love your neighbour as yourself, forgive without end

it is precepts or principles and structures…take up your cross, those who want to lead must also serve, don’t lay up for yourself treasure on earth but in heaven, and

there are certainly commandments – we know for example about the 10 commandments ..don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, worship only God

& there are ordinances. Human society has rules and laws…don’t move your neighbours fence posts!

But perhaps of interest is this expression..

The Fear of the Lord…not about being frightened of God’s ways

but rather understanding that we are human and God is God

so often in the scriptures we see that we get into trouble

when we get this wrong.

While we see this is the Bible

let’s not imagine  that we don’t do this!

The Reward

We read that living like this brings reward

We are REVIVED, we become WISE, we are filled withg REJOICING, we are ENLIGHTENED, and this is how we know PURITY and RIGHTEOUSNESS

A pretty impressive list of rewards and benefits

Better than wealth

sweeter than honey!

The Benefits

What this wonderful psalm tells us is the benefit of all this

is an understanding about how to live our life well

to be kept away from error and the trouble of our enemies

and keeps us living well and innocently

There is a deep prayer that the way we live, pray and work will be acceptable

It is the invitation to build our life on the rock which is God

and to know God’s salvation and hope for our life.

May your words, your law, and my thoughts and meditations

build me on my Rock and my Redeemer

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Take time to sit outside and enjoy the weather?

•                Give thanks to God for the beauty of creation

How can I live a better life?

•                It’s not about rules, it’s about the way we live.

•                What one thing could I do this week to better express the call to live righteously, obediently, faithfully.