Read Psalm 119:137-144
“Right”
In today’s reading, I was quickened to the psalmist’s
confession as to the rightness of the “rules” of the Lord. Sometimes, as humans
desiring our own way, we kick against rules, authority, and standards, but here the
psalmist honestly admits that those very rules are right and are sourced in the
faithfulness of the Lord himself. Verses 137-138
Righteous
are you, O Lord,
and right are your rules.
You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness
and in all faithfulness.
and right are your rules.
You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness
and in all faithfulness.
The
term “Rules” certainly is being used as a synonym for all of God’s word. Yet it
points to the heart of the matter—who makes “the rules?” The one who makes “the
rules” is the one who rules, either
externally or internally. The psalmist is not settling for mere compliance with external directives, he
has internalized the rules of the Lord as the core convictions of his life!
He also confesses being pretty
burned up on the inside because his enemies don’t live by God’s word (v.139).
If they did, then so many problems would be solved! However, the attacks of
those who forget God and deny his commands (e.g., do not commit murder, do not
steal, do not bear false witness) so that they can oppress others and feed
their own appetites for power and wealth, have repeatedly forced God’s people to
take refuge in God’s promises. Hence the psalmist can write,
Your promise is well tried,
and your servant loves it. (v. 140)
Can
we stand with the psalmist today knowing that we have deeply trusted in the
Lord’s promises and seen them come to pass? I love the fact that the Lord is
always faithful to his promise, even if that means that I don’t get what I want
when I want it. His promise is bigger and “righter” than that.
O
Lord, may we never forget your words of loving guidance, powerful protection, compassionate
comfort, and holistic healing, for your rules are but signs that you are our
rightful Ruler and King! When you tell us “No” it is sourced in your holy love
for us, when you tell us to wait it flows from your faithfulness. We do not begin
to grasp the scope of your knowledge nor the depth of your love, but as we love
your word we begin to see, we start to understand, and we enter the rest provided
in a personal relationship with you. Open our eyes today to see how your rules
are right!
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