“How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Praise be to you, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways
I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.”
Psalm 119:9-16 NIV
First, some fun facts, LOL! Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm and is the longest chapter in the Bible.
OK! Back to it!
Whenever I read a chapter of the Bible, I always think why would the person write this. “I have hidden your word in my heart; teach me your decrees; I rejoice in following your statutes.” This Psalm feels uplifting and hopeful. Though, the author is talking about rules. They are eager to follow rules, when we are traditionally taught that rules are restriction and represent a loss of freedom.
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you really are my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’
They answered him, ‘We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?’
Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.'”
John 8:31-36 NIV
In my own life, sin has represented the condition of my heart; the harm and pain that I feel and have experienced with life. As I walk closer with God, I am being taken through the same experiences that have caused me to slip. However, the design this time is to bring me healing and wholeness. The goal is to set me free from being even being willing to get on the path.
Today, these things feel true, for me. I really do desire to be the “face of Jesus” and offer love and compassion with boundaries, to people God places in my path. And, that the rules of life that God gives us are really to prevent further harm and pain. Lastly, there is freedom in following the rules of living that God designs.
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10 NIV
That’s a hard path to stay on with us having free will
Such a truthful comment!
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him or knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:15-17 NIV
The Holy Spirit comes to help us with this!
Amen! This is so crazy me and a friend were just discussing this subject the other day! These verses remind us of the good news to those who desire or choose to follow Jesus. There is no way we can live a sinless life because we are not perfect but each I try my best to do WJWD. If we accept the gift of salvation believe in our hearts that Jesus died on that Roman cross and paid the price for our sins. This doesn’t mean we were set free to do what ever we want but we ought to do. Only thru Jesus can the bond of slavery be broken and only He can bring true Freedom! Lord Jesus thank you for the confirmation!