Seventh Day Baptist
Christian Education Council
PO BOX 1678
Janesville, WI 53547
Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD,
your salvation according to your promise;
then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my hope is in your rules.
I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever,
and I shall walk in a wide place,
for I have sought your precepts.
I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
and shall not be put to shame,
for I find my delight in your commandments,
which I love.
I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.
Remember your word to your servant,
in which you have made me hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise gives me life.
The insolent utterly deride me,
but I do not turn away from your law.
When I think of your rules from of old,
I take comfort, O LORD.
Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
who forsake your law.
Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my sojourning.
I remember your name in the night, O LORD,
and keep your law.
This blessing has fallen to me,
that I have kept your precepts.
(ESV)
—Psalm 119:41-56
by: Dorothy Noel.
The psalmist loved rules! He waited on God’s ordinances, kept His law, sought His precepts, delighted in His commandments, and sang His statues. Yet, in verse 45, the psalmist claimed to “walk at liberty.” While celebrating God’s law, he felt free. We often think that freedom means we get to do what we please, but here we see that our freedom in Christ means we are able to fully serve God’s laws because we recognize their goodness. Verse 41 reminds us that God’s salvation comes from His Word, so as we celebrate in our freedom from sin, we also celebrate the freedom to keep God’s laws found in His Word.
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