The Law of the Lord is Perfect

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. -Psalm 1:1–3

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. -Psalm 19:7

Hi Everybody

What kind of words come to mind when you hear the phrase "the law of the Lord"? Are they words like delight? Perfect? Reviving the soul? Or, by contrast, are words like burden or obligation the ones that come into your mind when you hear that phrase? Most of us do not want to be told what to do -- we learn this around 2 years of age and we call it the terrible twos. We all want in one degree or another to have "our way." And so, when we hear "the law of the Lord," I think our initial reaction is something less than delight -- but it should be.

It should be, because the law of the Lord -- the 10 Commandments -- gives us a reflected glimpse of God's kingdom. I say a reflected glimpse, because in God's kingdom, the 10 commandments would just seem silly. Silly, because in God's kingdom, things are exactly the way God would want them to be; the ways that we are told to live in the 10 commandments would be our first nature, and the ways we are told to avoid would seem repugnant. Take a look at these glimpses of this kingdom:

In chapter 61 of Isaiah we are told that there will be "good news to the poor," "binding up of the brokenhearted," "freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." Five chapters later, Isaiah says, "Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth; he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed. They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the works of their hands. They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them. Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain." (Isa 65:20-25) The last book of the New Testament, Revelations, says of God's kingdom, that God will "wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelations 21:4)

Now, with those kingdom visions in mind, read this paraphrase of the 10 Commandments: Love God -- not a life of other gods or idols or in disrespect of Him. Rest in the rhythm that God gives you. Respect your mother and father, don't murder each other, or steal each other's spouses or stuff, don't lie to one another and do not strive to get other people's things.

As we move further and further into living a life in tune with God's kingdom -- eventually living for eternity in perfect tune -- we will find that these commands become more and more natural, even to the point that it would seem silly that God would even have to command such things. In the kingdom of God, the Commandments of God are natural and easy; they become a delight, a perfect way that revives the soul.

By Your grace, Lord, make it so; by Your grace, Lord, make us people of your kingdom.