"Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes" (Psalm 119:1-5)!
Who would deny that those who walk in God’s law are blessed in body and soul? “The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:12). Psalm 119:5 expresses the desire of every child of God: “O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!”. But sadly, our experience leaves us far short. The law testifies against us. “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). “There is none that doeth good” (Romans 3:12). Our personal law-keeping leaves us hopeless. “By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20).
Wonderfully, the gospel comes to our aid. “David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin” (Romans 4:6-8). Though in ourselves we are defiled and unrighteous, yet there is a Righteous One. “I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only” (Psalm 71:16). “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth” (Romans 10:4).
Christ kept the law. He obeyed its every precept. He kept its testimonies and suffered its curse against sinners. God received from Him for His people. God then gives to His people faith because of Him. With this faith, His people look to Christ and come to God by Christ and in Christ. In this way, all who believe are truly blessed. They are undefiled and holy before God in Him. They long to be found only in Christ and in Him alone. We therefore cry with the Psalmist, “O that my ways were directed to keep Thy statutes!” "This is the work of God, that you believe on Him whom He hath sent" (John 6:29). “Lord, increase our faith” (Luke 17:5)!
Who would deny that those who walk in God’s law are blessed in body and soul? “The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:12). Psalm 119:5 expresses the desire of every child of God: “O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!”. But sadly, our experience leaves us far short. The law testifies against us. “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). “There is none that doeth good” (Romans 3:12). Our personal law-keeping leaves us hopeless. “By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20).
Wonderfully, the gospel comes to our aid. “David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin” (Romans 4:6-8). Though in ourselves we are defiled and unrighteous, yet there is a Righteous One. “I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only” (Psalm 71:16). “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth” (Romans 10:4).
Christ kept the law. He obeyed its every precept. He kept its testimonies and suffered its curse against sinners. God received from Him for His people. God then gives to His people faith because of Him. With this faith, His people look to Christ and come to God by Christ and in Christ. In this way, all who believe are truly blessed. They are undefiled and holy before God in Him. They long to be found only in Christ and in Him alone. We therefore cry with the Psalmist, “O that my ways were directed to keep Thy statutes!” "This is the work of God, that you believe on Him whom He hath sent" (John 6:29). “Lord, increase our faith” (Luke 17:5)!
Rick Warta
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