“You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands. May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word. I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it. Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant. Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight. Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me; meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments. Let me be united with all who fear you, with those who know your laws. May I be blameless in keeping your decrees; then I will never be ashamed. I am worn out waiting for your rescue, but I have put my hope in your word. My eyes are straining to see your promises come true. When will you comfort me? I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke, but I have not forgotten to obey your decrees. How long must I wait? When will you punish those who persecute me? These arrogant people who hate your instructions have dug deep pits to trap me. All your commands are trustworthy. Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause. They almost finished me off, but I refused to abandon your commandments. In your unfailing love, spare my life; then I can continue to obey your laws. Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven. Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans. If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery. I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life. I am yours; rescue me! For I have worked hard at obeying your commandments. Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me, I will quietly keep my mind on your laws. Even perfection has its limits, but your commands have no limit.”
Psalms 119:73-96 NLT
The psalmist writes something profound and unheard in the modern era. “I know that your regulations are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it.” This bit of knowledge is the beginning of wisdom. Too many people professing Christians have a hard time reading the Bible because they actually don’t want to. This isn’t to say that they don’t understand they should. Certainly there is a mental ascent to its holiness and sacredness. But in the heart, they have not declared that they need it. Their involvement with it is a begrudging one. They believe that it is an intruder in their lives that needlessly seeks to conform them. They are the child that wants to do everything by themselves. They push God away as they seek to take his blessings. But truthfully, the Bible is the word given linguistic form. It is the input that our operating system needs. It fills in the part of our coding that was corrupted at Eden. It is both good and is good for us. We are in need of its discipline. It helps us return to our intended nature. This is a prime reason, even if only utilitarian, why we ought to take up the discipline and exercise of returning to it. It should not be an intruder in our lives, but an honored resident in our homes.
JOSH McGARY.COM 