Daily Archive

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2

 Normally we think of the word ‘law’ and our mind conjures up pictures of bondage and restrictions that make living a life of freedom difficult at best and impossible in some situations. No one likes rules. Rules limit our creativity, destroy our freedom and take the fun out of life.

Of course that isn’t true. In reality, if we think about it a life without rules of some sort is a life of chaos and danger. Rules, in and of themselves, are good. They give us guidance, protection and prepare us for what lies ahead.

In reality, it isn’t the rules that bring us down, it’s the rule giver. If we have faith in the one making the rules and know that those rules are given in love and in our best interest it makes following them easier. If we are in love with the rule giver then we hardly notice the rules because relationship trumps rules every time.

God’s law is sometimes looked on with contempt for two reasons. One reason is that the people who see God’s laws as restrictive and out of touch don’t know God. They may know Him on an intellectual basis or as the topic of some religious system, but they don’t know Him in the realm of relationship.

When we are in relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ, we see those rules as guidelines that will enable us to live in a way that allows us to use the natural gifts and abilities he has given us for His glory and our benefit.

If we are not in relationship with God we see His rules as harsh and out of touch with reality. The Bible says that the wisdom of God is foolishness to mankind because we are, in our human nature, unable to understand Him. Only when we are in relationship with Him and His Spirit is indwelling us, can we fully understand His ways.

A second reason we may think God’s laws are restrictive is because we don’t know what His word says. This is even true among those who are Christ-followers. Stagnant relationships die for lack of understanding and companionship. This is true in the spiritual realm as well as in the physical realm.

If we are not in His word daily and are not on a regular basis interacting with fellow believers we will lose sight of the meaning of His Word. The more we are in His word, the more we interact with Him through prayer, Bible Study and fellowship, the more we will grasp the beauty and reality of His ‘rules.’

The more we love God and commune with Jesus, the less God’s laws become burdensome. Take time each day to meditate on some part of the Bible. Talk to Jesus often and realize that no matter how often you fail Him, He will never let you down.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus. I ask that you would help me to grow in my relationship with you. Show me the wisdom of your rules so that I may live a free and profitable life in you. Bring people and words into my life that will empower me to live for you. Amen.