Look with me at Psalm 19 verses 7 to 11. Please read it.
The first time I was really aware of this portion of scripture was when a missionary taught me how to sing it. The key words to this portion of the Psalm is found in verse 11 “in keeping of them there IS great reward”. Keeping of what?
- The law of the Lord vs7.
- The testimony of the Lord vs7
- The statutes of the Lord vs8
- The commandments of the Lord vs8
- The fear of the Lord vs9
- The judgements of the Lord vs9.
- The great reward spoken of in verse 11 is not just for the future but for now notice that little word IS it is present tense.
That means great reward for us is a NOW but it is conditional. Testimony to this truth is born out in scriptures through the nation of Israel. When she walked with the Lord she prospered, had great reward but when she went purposefully away from the Lord there was no reward just hardship and pain. Does this ring any bells for our country, our once Great Britain? Would to God that this country turns back to GOD. By seeking and following the Lord’s commandments is the only way to get the Great back into Britain and get The Reward of keeping God’s Law vs11b. So for this to happen there has got to be
- The Recognition of God’s Law vs7-9
- The Reality of God’s Law. Vs7-9
- The Reception of God’s law. Vs10-11
- And then The Rewards of God’s Law vs11b
Point 1 what do we recognise about God’s law? First off (a) It is Powerful vs7 says “The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul”. Consider that, what does the law do? It converts the soul. God uses the law of God to bring people to Himself. His commandments show us He is Holy and we are sinners (Rom 7:7) in need of the Saviour. Next we recognise (b) It is Plain vs7 says “Making wise the simple”. God’s commandments are simple to follow, they are not complicated as some would make them. When God says thou shalt not it means thou shalt not. Next we recognise (c) It is Pleasing vs8 says “Rejoicing the heart”. Walking in God’s commandments, following Him there is this Rejoicing in the heart. Can you feel it? Next we recognise (d) It is Penetrating vs8 says “Enlightening the eyes”. When the light of God’s commandments enter in the darkness dispels. Next we recognise (e) It is Perfect vs9 says “Righteous altogether”. All of His commandments are righteous, they perfectly fit together, His commandments show us how God wants us to be towards Him. They are manifestly just and fair complete in their dealings with man. They individually or collectively are unimpeachable.
Do we recognise God’s Law and what it does to us and for us?
2. The Reality of God’s Law
Also in verses 7 to 9 are 6 adjectives used to describe God’s commandments
Vs7 Perfect and sure.
Vs8 Right and pure.
Vs9 Clean and true.
The embracing of God’s moral commandments through grace into our lives will bring those adjectives into our lives. Jesus said “If you love me keep my commandments”.
3 The Reception of God’s Law.
If we look in verse 10 we can see the way the psalmist David receives the law of the Lord. It’s a positive attitude.
Firstly. It t is better than profit.”More to be desired are they than gold. Yea than much fine gold”. David says God’s commandments are better than gold, more than fine 24 carat gold, he was more interested in storing up treasure in heaven. Yes, he preferred the wealth that was found in God’s word.
Secondly. It is better than pleasure. “Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb”. Honey is wonderful to the taste, one of the sweetest natural products known to man. Honey nurtures and feeds the flesh. There is pleasure in the taste of honey. Well David says God’s commandments are better than the honey the pleasures of this world.
Thirdly. It is better than participating. Vs 11″More over by them is thy servant warned”. When sin stares you in the face, when Temptation reaches down into your soul His commands come forth and says no! Thou shalt not. God’s Spirit and your conscience works in tandem to warn you. To the man in a close walk with the Lord the storm clouds are seen early.
4 And then The rewards of God’s Law.
If we look in verse 11b it says “and in keeping them there is great reward”
What are the great rewards of keeping God’s commandments?
Long life prov 3vs 1&2, Protection Rom 8:28, Gladness Acts 2:46, Great peace Psalm 119:165, Assurance of our salvation 1 John 3:24, Answers to prayers 1 John 3:22, The conscious presence of Christ John 14:21.
See just how important it is in keeping God’s Law . David thought so.
God bless
Michael Whitehouse