The Law's Blessings

Read Psalm 119
 
Psalms 119:1, 176 Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord…176 I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands.
 
THE psalmist opens with a sense of excitement to declare joy in being faithful to God’s law. This blessing begins a series of 22, 8-verse stanzas that declare how the law blesses us. Read, examine each verse, and you will see a reference to the law. Some words and phrases include “instruction”, “commands”, “walk in his path”, “decrees”, “righteous regulations” and “your word”.
   The reasons God’s law bleeses are: 1) Blessings of obedience 2) Cleansed by God’s Word 3) Appreciation of God’s Word 4) Prayer for Understanding God’s Word 5) Loyalty to God’s Word 6) Salvation through God’s Word 7) Hope from God’s Word 8) Obedience to God’s Word 9) Trust in God’s Word 10) Hope is found in God’s Word 11) God’s Word is Faithful 12) God’s Word is sure – settled in heaven and settled in his faithfulness 13) God’s Word is sweet 14) God’s Word is Light 15) God’s Word is Awe-inspiring 16) God’s Word Vindicates 17) God’s Word is Wonderful 18) God’s Word is Righteous 19) God’s Word is True 20) Love for God’s Word 21) Rejoicing in God’s Word 22) God’s Word Delivers from sin.
   Having accounted for the blessings of following the LORD’s instructions, the last verse then is a warning.  I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands. We must remember we are lost without God’s law. We will miss the blessings if we leave God. It’s very simple and straightforward.
   This should encourage us to speak God’s law to help others know. Remember the blessing. Know the warning. Help people know God and know the good things he has for them. Jesus said it this way: John 15:11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!