Create in Me a Clean Heart: The 40-Day Challenge (Psalms)Sample

Live According to God’s Instructions

Psalm 119:1-16

Many times when we think about God’s commandments, we have negative connotations attached to them. After all, who can really say they like rules? We humans generally prefer to be our own boss. And we don’t like it when someone dares to interfere with our plans.

But if we look at the psalmists, and their way of relating to God’s rules, they have a different attitude. They don’t want to run away. What’s more, they fervently pray to God that their lives will be in accordance with his laws. How is it possible that these people wanted something so contrary to human nature?

The answer lies in wisdom and love. In wisdom, they were able to understand that it is only worth living according to God’s rules. Let’s think... When that wonderful God, who was ready to give his life for us, gave commandments to his children, how could those commands be anything but only for our good? His instructions really lead to life, and not just any life, but one filled with Jesus.

Yes, it is true that this sometimes means sacrifice, but in the shadow of eternity it is so worth it. I am sure that if we had the opportunity to look at situations from his point of view, we would unquestioningly accept every instruction that God has ever given us. Why? Because we would see that these instructions are actually a gift. A wonderful gift designed to sustain a joyful and fulfilling Christian life.