Psalm 119:47,48
It is one thing to keep a law. It is quite a different thing to do with joy what that law demands. In fact, then it does not even seem like a law. And the question is whether we keep God's law because we must, or because we find delight in doing so.
Then, too, it is one thing to demand something of some one else and quite another thing to find pleasure in doing so yourself. If then we find joy in doing what God's law sets forth, all the ridicule and derision the world heaps upon us will not stop us from doing what pleases God. That was the case with the psalmist, and he expresses that in Psalm 119:47,48 in these words, "And I will delight myself in Thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto Thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in Thy statutes.''
This we can do when we love God. Then we will also love His law. We will do what it demands because in love to God we want to please and serve Him. And note that the psalmist says twice that he loves God's law, which is impossible, if we do not love God. Not only must we not be ashamed of doing that which brings us ridicule; but we must want to continue walking in God's law because we delight in His commandments.
In fact, if we love God, and therefore love His law, we will meditate in it to see how we can be more pleasing in His sight than we are at the moment. We will lift our hands, that is, stretch them out unto His commandments, even as we sing (PRC Psalter):
The Lord's commands which I have loved
Shall still new joy impart;
With reverence I will hear Thy laws
And keep them in my heart.
If ridicule and mockery make us stop keeping God's law, we may not say that we love God, but we show love for our flesh and seek to please ourselves, rather than striving to please God.
Look then in the mirror of God's law. Do you see one interested in pleasing God? Do you find one who wants to pray, "Take not the word of truth out of my mouth"?
Read: James 1:13-27
Psalter versification: #326:4
Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Song for Meditation: Psalter #140
Why not sing along?
Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
1 Kings 20
1 Kings 21:1-29
Acts 12
Acts 13:1-15
Psalm 137:1-9
Proverbs 17:16
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Quote for Reflection:
Herman Bavinck: "Scripture knows no independent creatures ... God cares for all his creatures: for animals (Gen 1:30 ; 6:19; 7:2; 9:10; Job 38:41 ; Pss. 36:7; 104:27; 147:9; Joel 1:20 ; Matt. 6:26 , etc.), and particularly for humans. He sees them all (Job 34:21 ; Ps. 33:13 , 14; Prov. 15:3 ); fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds (Ps. 33:15 ; Prov. 5:21 ); they are all the works of his hands (Job 34:19 ), the rich as well as the poor (Prov. 22:2 ). He determines the boundaries of their habitation (Deut. 32:8 ; Acts 17:26 ), inclines the hearts of all (Prov. 21:1 ), directs the steps of all (Prov. 3:21 ; 16:9; 19:21; Jer. 10:23 , etc.), and deals according to his will with the host of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth ( Dan. 4:35 ). They are in his hands as clay in the hands of a potter, and as a saw in the hand of one who pulls it (Isa. 29:16 ; 45:9; Jer. 18:5 ; Rom. 9:21, 21 ) " (In the Beginning, p. 230).
Additional Info
- Date: 19-June
Heys, John A.
Rev. John A. Heys was born on March 16, 1910 in Grand Rapids, MI. He was ordained and installed into the ministry at Hope, Walker, MI in 1941. He later served at Hull, Iowa beginning in 1955. In 1959 he accepted the call to serve the South Holland, IL Protestant Reformed Church. He received and accepted the call to Holland, Michigan Protestant Reformed Church in 1967. He retired from the active ministry in 1980. He entered into glory on February 16, 1998.