I do not turn away from your ordinances,
for you have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
It is not as though we have always had this way of thinking. There have been, for many of us, times when we have either not been aware of the value of God’s ordinances, his Torah, or that, having some awareness, we have turned to pick our own path. But the rockiness of the road to disobedience has a way of teaching even the most foolhardy of souls the sweetness of relationships, the satisfaction of company on our journey. Torah maintains those relationships, Torah keeps us in the company of others whose lives are rooted in love, honor, trust, and loyalty. To be right with God, to be right with others, and even to be right with ourselves, we must attend to God’s rules for relationships.
therefore I hate every false way.
It is not as though Torah anticipates every situation and provides a simple “Do this,” or “Don’t do that.” It does provide a set of principles, and a view of the God who gave them, though. These principles and divine perspective allow us to think through all of our life situations and “get understanding.” We do have a guide that is useful for reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness. The Bible, though, is not about easy and cheap answers, and whenever someone presents the book in that way, it ought to make us more than a little nervous. There are false ways on both sides of the true path, and we ought to hate every one of them.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
God’s word is for illumination, not gravitation. It is not meant to be a paperweight, bookend, or doorstop.
God’s word is for illumination, not manipulation. It is meant to reshape the way that humans think, not the thickness of their pocketbook.
God’s word is for illumination, not alienation. It is intended to make clear the connections between people and the ways that we might strengthen them; it is not meant to be molded into bricks to build walls that classify, divide, or protect.
When God’s word properly illumines our path, then we find purpose, strength, and joy. May we so dwell in his word that we find these things today.
Grace and peace,
Ron
