“How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the LORD.” Psalm 119:1 (NAS)
It is amazing to me how many persons study the Bible and theology for purposes other than to know God better. Should our interest in biblical and theological studies be only academic? Should our Bible study be only to discover “proof texts” that simply reinforce personal doctrinal beliefs? Should we only memorize Scripture in order to confound others with our intellect? Absolutely not!
The Psalmist pushes us toward a theological point. He considers the blessed results of a blameless lifestyle. Achieving a “blameless” status, however, is not his point. He further notes that such blameless persons are those who walk in (i.e., obey) God’s law. So then, “walking in the law of the Lord” is the goal. Increasing our faithful obedience to the God of the Scripture, that is the challenge. The resultant side effect will be a blameless life.
And this “blameless” status can only be identified and applied by the God of the Law. Despite our feeble excuses for failure and our holier-than-thou attitudes, only God measures genuine obedience and faithfulness. He alone is the judge. The Psalmist encourages us to faithfully obey God. The resultant “blessings” rest in God’s grace.
In Matthew 10:22, Jesus said, “ . . . it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.” So enduring to the end is our goal. In today’s passage, the Psalmist gives us the method for achieving that goal . . . walk in the law of the LORD.
Dear Father, thank you for your Word. Thank you for its illumination to our lives. Forgive us our failure to search it for truth and guidance. Help us to truly be faithful, obedient disciples. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today in your enduring walk,