Everyday Delight
But in the law of the LORD is his delight, and in His law he meditates day and night! Psalm 1.2
The first psalm begins by describing the blessed person. It is, first of all, because he has chosen not to be friends with the evil and perverse culture that surrounds him. This does not mean that he has chosen to live in isolation, for his function is to spread the good among those who have not yet tasted it. However, the values that govern her life do not come from the culture in which she is immersed. However, in order to advance with victory in life, it is not enough to know which paths not to travel. People whose existence is governed by a long list of prohibitions are generally characterized by their bitter and legalistic stance in life, always attentive to point out the evil they see in others.
The psalmist has discarded the customs and values of culture because he has found something better to guide his life: the law of the Lord. He declares that he finds his delight in the words of the law. That is, they give him a sense of deep pleasure and satisfaction. I know many people who are highly disciplined in their study of the Word, but they cannot say that they delight in it. Rather they strictly observe a discipline which, they understand, is part of the "duties" of a good Christian.
We must ask ourselves, then, where is the secret which makes it possible to turn a religious formality into something which we fully enjoy? The answer, in part, is found in the Psalm itself, which points out the benefits which accompany those who choose to live according to the law of the Lord. The reason for delight is not in the minutiae of the law, but in the conviction that a life directed by the Word is a life that will enjoy abundant benefits.
Psalm 19 describes some of them. "The teachings of the LORD are perfect; they revive the soul. The decrees of the LORD are reliable, make wise the simple. The commandments of the LORD are right; they bring joy to the heart. The commandments of the LORD are clear; they give good perception to live. The reverence to the LORD is pure, it remains forever. The laws of the LORD are true, each of them is impartial. They are more desirable than gold, even than the purest gold. The sweetness of the Word, however, finds its explanation in something deeper than these benefits. It is sweet as honey, because it comes from the object of our devotion.
Just as we enjoy every word in a love letter, so the Psalmist delights in meditating upon the Word because it expresses the Lord's tender cares for His people. He understands that the commandments and ordinances contained in the law are one of the ways in which God expresses His commitment to guide us along the best roads, those that lead to places of green pastures by quiet streams.
Have a great Monday, folks.