The law of the LORD is perfect reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring for ever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them you servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Psalm 19.7-11
Here is a rich feast indeed as we are brought face to face with the blessings of God’s Word described variously as law, statutes, commands, and ordinances, with the fear of the LORD thrown in for good measure.
Each sentence opens up vistas and possibilities that will meet and satisfy every part of us battered as we often are by the hardships that life put before us. Perhaps that is a rather negative way of looking at life for Jesus tells us that if we are to follow him we must daily take up our cross. That clearly indicates hardship, but that hardship is ameliorated as we remember that in facing hardship we are walking the way he calls us to walk.
I was tempted to take this whole section in one bite but there is a danger of giving you indigestion so rich is the fare, so I will simply take one sentence each day on which to meditate.
The law of the LORD is perfect reviving the soul.
There is much in everyday experience that can cause soul weariness and certainly the restrictions imposed by the pandemic will have contributed to this as we have been unable to meet together face to face Sunday by Sunday. It has been good to Zoom but we are made for personal relationships. A further consequence of this is that we have been unable to minister in our various church groups, for us here in Criccieth, Meal with a Message, Bobol Bach, Children’s Outreach Groups etc. and via Trobwynt, schools. Such lack of opportunities can indeed weary the soul but it should not, for God has given us the antidote to such problems which is quite simply his law.
I wonder if the past year has driven you to spend more time in his perfect law. If it has I am sure you will testify to the truth of David’s statement here.
Psalm 42 gives us a further testimony to the power of God’s law. In verse five the Sons of Korah pose the following question to thgemselves: ‘Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?’ and the challenging answer is ‘Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God? Do you see how powerful is the law of the LORD?
A downcast soul is revived by putting hope in God. How is that hope made plain and available? Through the law of the LORD for that is how God has chosen to make himself known.
Are you proving that day by day or have you yet to find the truth and delight of the first course in this feast?
The perfect law of the LORD revives the soul. Draw deeply from it today and every day.