Blessings which come from Following the Law of Adonai.
We will consider 14 blessings which come from following the law of Adonai. These are all found in Psalm 119.
Verse 165. Peace.
“Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.”
Those who love Adonai’s law will try very hard to follow it.
This verse however does not mean that believers will be immune to sorrow and trouble. But following Adonai’s law gives an inner contentment (absence of anxiety and troubled feelings) in a world of turmoil. Following Adonai’s law gives safety from the lure of temptation. Avoiding the pitfalls of sin means to avoid the misery and distress that arise from improper behaviour, and that is peace indeed!
Verses 2 – 3, 11. The power to resist sin.
“Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with a whole heart! They also do no iniquity; they walk in His ways.”
“Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”
The blessing here is having something more valuable that money and sweeter than honey – the law of Adonai.
To “walk in His ways” indicates complete commitment – a total way of life.
Internalizing the law of Adonai is the surest defense against the encroachment of sin. Happiness comes from having the ability to be separate from every form of iniquity – real power to control one’s life.
Verses 16 and 47. Joy and Delight.
“I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.”
“And I will delight myself in Your commandments, which I love.”
The Lord’s commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5: 3). Whoever is bound to Adonai will delight in His commandments and strive to keep them. Success in so doing is the only way to true happiness, providing personal enjoyment and a never-ending source of satisfaction.
Verses 99 and 130. Understanding.
“I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.”
“The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”
The law of Adonai is the source of real knowledge but requires diligent study and is never finished. One finds one’s way in life by following Adonai’s law. Fortunately, one does not have to be a genius. Although there are often depths of meaning in scripture, the fundamentals of what Adonai desires of us is easy to appreciate. Real spiritual truth is available to all.
Verse 28. Strength.
“My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your word.”
Following the law of Adonai can lift us up from grief, sorrow and life’s lowest points. As little as a single verse can help pull us through to carry on.
Verse 45. Freedom.
“And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts.”
There is great freedom (not bondage) in obeying Adonai’s instructions. The world has got it all wrong! Following Adonai’s law is not about restrictions but about freedom from sin and the distress caused by sin. The actual outcome of following Adonai is peace, contentment and freedom.
John 8: 34 – 36.
“Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave to sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.””
Verse 114. Hope.
“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.”
Following the law of Adonai helps the individual to find his/her way in a world that is full of confusion, sin and error which can lead to a sense of hopelessness.
The law of Adonai is our protection from dismay when we are under attack. There is “hope” in the promises of Adonai because He will never disappoint and will never deceive.
Exodus 19: 5.
“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people …”
Knowing oneself to be a “special treasure” to Adonai can only give one the highest hope for the future.
Verses 50 and 52. Comfort in suffering.
“This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life.”
“I remembered Your judgment of old, O Lord, and have comforted myself.”
Following Adonai’s law in obedience to His word, gives soothing power. We know how Adonai has intervened in the past to comfort His obedient people. He will not abandon us now.
The very best comforting words of those close to us can seem inadequate at times but never the word of Adonai. Knowing that one is walking right with Adonai can comfort in the most trying circumstances.
Verse 62. A Thoughtful Heart.
“At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, because of Your righteous judgments.”
Following Adonai’s law brings out the best in us. When we realize His love is expressed in His law, we can see the very essence of a good life for us. This prompts us to want to acknowledge His lovingkindness and not to ignore it.
Verses 120 and 161. Reverence for Adonai.
“My flesh trembles for fear of You, and I am afraid of Your judgments.”
“… my heart stands in awe of Your word.”
Awareness of the demands of Adonai’s law produces obedience to it and reverence for Adonai Himself. No sensible person wants to sin; we know Adonai’s judgment on the wicked. His law is based on HIs love for us. Respect for His law means that we can stand in awe of the Lawgiver and not betray Him.
Verses 6 and 80. Absence of Shame.
“Then I should not be ashamed, when I look into all Your commandments.”
“Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes, that I may not be ashamed.”
The law of Adonai is a gracious gift to His people; teaching them how to live life for their own good. To the extent that we can faithfully follow Adonai’s law, we can be spared the excruciating embarrassment of sinful living and can hold our heads up high.
Verses 164 and 172. A Worshipful Heart.
“Seven times a day I praise You, because of Your righteous judgments.”
“My tongue shall speak of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous.”
Following the law of Adonai leads to a continuous attitude of praise (“seven times a day”); because we come to appreciate the wisdom of His instructions and therefore, they are exciting to us. We want to make a song and dance about them! We can see Adonai’s mercy; giving us a worshipful heart full of gratitude. Why would we want to think about anything else!
Verses 9 and 163. A Clean Life.
“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.”
“I hate and abhor lying, but I love Your law.”
Internalizing the law of Adonai is the believer’s best defense. against encroaching sin, especially for the young and inexperienced.
Deep acquaintance with the truth enables us to detect and despise the wrong way of living. The law of Adonai is inerrant in all it declares; it has been tried and tested for centuries.
“Lying”, of course, is the hallmark of Satan. When we know and acknowledge the law of Adonai, we love what He loves, and we hate what He hates.
Verses 37 and 159. Personal Revival.
“Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.”
“Consider how I love Your precepts; revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.”
Following the law of Adonai alone can provide, and is sufficient for, revitalization in life despite trials and disappointments. The law of Adonai points us away from “worthless things” and towards what is of great value – a godly life.
If we follow the law of Adonai, we have access to Him and can plead for and find lovingkindness and justice to preserve and revitalize us with a new infusion of life.
Conclusion.
So, when we committed ourselves to the Lord Yeshua and sought to obey His commands we also signed up for the following blessings: –
Peace, Joy, Understanding, Strength, Freedom, Hope, Comfort in Suffering, A Thoughtful Heart, Reverence for Adonai, Absence from Shame, A Worshipful Heart, A Clean Life and Personal Revival.
Who in their right mind is going to walk away from all that!
AMEN.