“Say okay and do it right away.” I have heard my wife say that little rhyme to our kids many times over the years. I was reminded of it again as I studied Psalm 119 this week. Psalm 119:57-64 is really a prayer to the all sufficient God. God is sufficient as my portion—He is what I really need and want. In these next verses I see God is sufficient as my Lord and Master.
(Psalm 119:59-61)
59 I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
60 I made haste, and did not delay To keep Your commandments.
61 The cords of the wicked have bound me, But I have not forgotten Your law.
2. God Is My Master.
Obedience is the expression of our love for God. Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments,” (John 14:15). Loving obedience was the condition for God’s blessing for the nation of Israel. If the people kept God’s covenant with them God would bless them and their land. If they turned from Him to idols He would chasten them in the land. John Philips points out Four Aspects of Obedience in Ps 119:59 (John Philips, Exploring Psalms, 2:315-16):
· Deliberation: “I considered . . .” — Stop and think.
· Destination: “I considered my ways” — Where am I headed?
· Determination: “And turned my feet . . .” — Deciding to obey God.
· Discrimination: “And turned my feet to Your testimonies.” — I am going to follow God’s ways rather than mine or another person’s.
I am learning more and more what it means to say that God is my Lord and Master. In ancient days, no servant could say, “No,” or postpone doing the master’s will, or say, “I forgot.” The psalmist is not complacent in his walk; he hastens to God’s Word. He knows there is danger in delay. There almost seems to be the mindset of a soldier here:
v. 59a “I considered” – i.e., ATTENTION. STOP!
v. 59b “and turned my feet” - ABOUT FACE!
v. 60 “I hastened and did not delay” – FORWARD MARCH, DOUBLE TIME!
When Jesus called His disciples to follow Him, it was “drop everything and follow me now. Leave your boats and nets – today you become fishers of men.” And immediately they responded to the Lord’s call. I am learning not to hesitate or equivocate when God calls. I am not to pause to look back on my old life with longing like Lot’s wife.
Delayed obedience is a form of disobedience. Telling God I will obey Him tomorrow often means I am disobeying Him today. “Today if you hear God’s voice, do not harden your heart,” (Heb. 3:15).
How about you? Are you quick to respond to the Lord and His word?
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Your post reminded me of when I ride a horse. If I ask it to go a certain direction, it's for a purpose. It's not an option or a suggestion. Sometimes I want the horse to go there fast, sometimes slow.
ReplyDeleteGod does the same with our lives. He tells us which direction to go. It's in our best interest to do what he says, not just because we fear him, but because we love him and want to please him.
Glad to have you back Richard.
Kevin, Thanks for the encouragement. I want my kids to "Say okay and do it right away." They show not only their respect for me, but their love for me when they obey. I don't expect it because I am trying to be a tyrant, but because I love them and want the best for them.
ReplyDeleteI really believe our Father in heaven is treating us the same way. He expects obedience because He loves us and obedience is our expression of love back to him.
--Richard
I am a work in progress.
ReplyDeleteLarry, yeah, you and me both, brother. --Richard
ReplyDelete