August 24, 2019 -- Psalm 119:2-3 -- Our Father adds blessing to obedience

Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,

who seek him with their whole heart,

who also do no wrong,

but walk in his ways!

Psalm 119:2-3 English Standard Version

Matthew Henry, in his commentary on these verses notes:

The tempter would make men think they are at liberty to follow the word of God or not,

as they please. But the desire and prayer of a good man agree with the will and command

of God. If a man expects by obedience in one thing to purchase indulgence for

disobedience in others, his hypocrisy will be detected; if he is not ashamed in this

world, everlasting shame will be his portion.

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible page 553

Those words are an incredible insight into the words of verse 3 of our passage today. How many of us engage in this false kind of spiritual accounting. We will be so dedicated in not sinning in a particular area of our life—just so we can indulge in another area of our life. It is the dieter’s dilemma—if I exercise this morning I can have that ice cream treat this afternoon. The problem is tomorrow when I weigh myself I wonder why nothing has changed. Our sins find us out and our false spiritual accounting shows we cannot indulge in any sin. There is no room for this.

The Psalmist desires to yield himself wholeheartedly to God and he pledges to “do no wrong”. He is not thereby storing up for himself a free pass to sin at some later time in an other area of his life. No! He is acknowledging the blessedness that accrues to a man who is serving God whole-heartedly. In view of the divine order of things—blessedness being poured out for obedience—he is pledging himself to finding joy in obedience as a son of the Living God.

Blessedness reminds us that we do not keep the rules for the sake of rule-keeping—we do so in order to know God Who is both the Creator of Order and the Father of all believers. Our Father—He is our Father—obedience reminds us of this glorious truth.

Anyone who has ever started a fitness routine knows all the aches and muscle soreness that accompany the unfamiliar movements required of the body. So it is with obedience. We are not conditioned for it. We will feel it—the ache and soreness of the unfamiliar. However, as we become spiritually fit walking in His ways, the soul becomes familiar with what is required of it and the spiritual muscles want to be stretched and worked according to obedience. And such spiritual workouts become a deeply integrated part of our living—affecting everything we think, say and do. That is why the psalmist claims to “do no wrong” because it is out of character of his spiritual fitness routine. It takes effort to do wrong.

As the Christian is conditioned to walk in obedience to God the focus moves from concentrating on the exercise of doing right to the experience of delight in the Presence of the One before Whom such spiritual exercises are completed. Our Great and Glorious God delights in the praises of His people and we experience the tremendous glow of knowing, feeble though we are, we are bringing pleasure to the Sovereign of Heaven and Earth.

Spirit of God condition my spiritual muscles in such a way that obedience in keeping with spiritual fitness is the rhythm of my days and nights. Spirit of All Wisdom lift my eyes so that in all things I see Jesus Christ as both Savior and the Captain of salvation Who still now directs me. How generous and extravagant it is, LORD of Heaven and Earth, that You should demand obedience and give the strength for obedience and on top of it all so mercifully and wonderfully add Your blessings to those who walk in Your ways. Great are You God and worthy of praise and life-long service. Amen.