Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true. – Psalm 119:142
Why do we have laws? And why are there so many of them? From the time you are young, you are given laws to follow: Don’t jump on the bed; don’t pull your sister’s hair; don’t run with scissors in your hand. Laws expand as you grow older: Have your science paper turned in by Thursday; don’t leave the keys in the car; be back by curfew. The Judicial Learning Center says that laws “often mean that someone is telling us what to do, or keeping us from doing what we want. Yet to live in a civil society, we must have some rules to follow.” Laws govern everyone in a nation, state, or community. They are generally intended for your protection and safety.
When America’s Founding Fathers worked on the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, they based the laws on Judeo-Christian values. Dr. Benjamin Rush, one of those founders, said, “The only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government is the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by means of the Bible.” Those principles, found in the laws of both the Old and New Testaments, undergirded the laws that birthed America.
Theologian Dr. Ian Kenneth Gentry writes, “The Law of God is not simply a system of personal morality. It also reveals to us a corporate morality covering the social, political, and judicial spheres as well.” Keeping the laws of God also comes with a promise. “Let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you” (Proverbs 3:1-2). Obedience brings blessing (Deuteronomy 30:16).
The rules that come from a righteous God are for your benefit. Theologian Matthew Henry stated, “All His commandments are truth. And God’s promises will be performed. All that ever trusted in God have found him faithful.” Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Dr. Gentry writes, “All the world is accountable to God in terms of his Law. His blessings will flow or his curses befall men on the basis of their moral conduct which God evaluates through his Law.” It is your obligation to follow the laws. If one is in direct opposition to the law of God, you may do as Peter said in Acts 5:29, “We must obey God rather than men,” and be ready for the consequences of taking a stand.
Today’s Verse: Psalm 119:142
Your righteousness is righteous forever,
and your law is true.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 119:137-144
Righteous are you, O Lord,
and right are your rules.
138 You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness
and in all faithfulness.
139 My zeal consumes me,
because my foes forget your words.
140 Your promise is well tried,
and your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised,
yet I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is righteous forever,
and your law is true.
143 Trouble and anguish have found me out,
but your commandments are my delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever;
give me understanding that I may live.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
