“The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous” (Psalm 19:8-9).

Delight. Precious. Sweet. Rejoice.

These are not words normally associated with commandments or laws of any kind. So, what is going on? Was this just hyperbole from the psalmist? Or did the people of faith actually and really delight in the law of the LORD? Find God’s commands precious and sweet? Did God’s faithful people rejoice in God’s statutes?

These were the questions we were left with from yesterday’s Verse of the Day.

The incredible answer is that the Jews – the Jews who understood the purpose of the law of God, the Ten Commandments, and the commands of the LORD – really did delight in God’s laws.

Imagine living in a world where you know that there is more to the world than what your eyes can see. You know that there is someone bigger than you controlling the universe. And you want to figure out how you fit in in the universe and how you can be found pleasing to this greater force. So you try all kinds of things. You try sacrificing some grain? How about a lamb? You try praying to the mountain gods, the river gods, the ocean gods, the moon god, the sun god.

How are you supposed to know who’s in charge? How are you supposed to know what is pleasing to such a god?

And into that chaos and confusion, God gives to the Jews his clear laws. No one has to guess anymore. No one has to ever wonder how to live the blessed life because the Creator of the heavens and the earth has spelled it out for us.

Wow! What a gift! What a privilege! No other people have God’s command the way the Jews have. God has revealed his heart and purpose to no other people.

How sweet and precious these commands are. What an absolute delight! Of course the people of God rejoice at God’s revealing of God’s purposes and will.

The laws of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever,
The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous.

No wonder,

“They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.”

Did God’s people delight in the laws of the LORD?

Absolutely!

“The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul” (Psalm 19:7).

Come on…Really?

Ok…Perhaps there have been a time or two when you thought about the law of the LORD and thought – perfect!

BUT…come on…really? When have you ever looked at the laws of the LORD, the Ten Commandments, the “Thou shalts…” and thought to yourself – refreshing?!?!

If anything we find laws of all kinds restricting, prohibitive, and confining. We think of laws as a necessary evil to keep crazy and evil people at bay.

But what is surprising is how the psalmist describes and talks about God’s law.

• Blessed is the one “whose delight is in the law of the LORD” (Psalms 1:2).
• The decrees of the LORD “are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10).
• “I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches” (Psalm 119:14).

Delight. Precious. Sweet. Rejoice.

These are not words normally associated with commandments or laws of any kind. So, what is going on? Was this just hyperbole from the psalmist? Or did the people of faith actually and really delight in the law of the LORD? Find God’s commands precious and sweet? Did God’s faithful people rejoice in God’s statutes?

HOW?

To answer that question, you’re going to have to read tomorrow’s Verse of the Day!

“Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (Isaiah 30:18).

The most important word in the text is the very first word, “Yet.”

If God were to be gracious and show compassion because we are such deserving and worthy people, it would all make sense. But that’s not the point of this verse. It’s that we are undeserving, unworthy, messed-up, weak, pathetic, err-prone, frail, stubborn, proud, repeat sinners.

YET!

“YET the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion”

WOW! That’s amazing. You see why we call God’s grace “Amazing Grace”? It truly is unbelievable.

Love what J. C. Ryle said when he wrote, “God knew what we were before conversion – yet he loved us. And God knows what we will be after conversion – yet he loves us still.”

That’s good news! That’s Amazing Grace!!!