“Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them.” -Psalm 119:129

If God’s statutes did not mean anything to the psalmist he would not have wanted to obey them. The love for what is right and true grows an inward desire for holy obedience. Those who do not love God’s law but go through the outward motions are legalists at best, hypocrites at worst. We are motivated by what we love, things we are passionate about, what we respect, and by godly fear. The difference in reverent fear for the Lord versus being afraid of Him is loving God’s authority. We trust Him to rule over us therefore we will obey. His character, His nature, demands our all and yet God Himself is not demanding. We are not His puppets on a string. Instead, the Lord woos us to Himself, unlocking the mysteries of Who He is over a lifetime of discovery. This is the heart of God for His children. 

As we grow in grace toward spiritual maturity, His saints learn what a wonderful, gracious, merciful Law-Giver we serve and desire to follow His footprints. This too is a mercy as God gently leads us in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. The end result is the Christian’s glorification, reflecting the likeness of our Savior. We have been justified by His mercy, we are being sanctified in His grace, one day we will be glorified in His perfect righteousness. 

Grace upon grace,

April

Growing deeper: Deuteronomy 4:1-40; Psalm 23; Romans 8:29-30