David Bahn – Reflections

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Today’s readings are Acts 26; Psalm 119:41-48; Jeremiah 1; 18; 35. I hope you will join me in reading these passages.

Psalm 119:41-43

Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
    your salvation according to your promise;
⁴² then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
    for I trust in your word.
⁴³ And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
    for my hope is in your rules.

I think I’ve had it wrong all these years. Whenever I’ve read Psalm 119, I’ve heard “laws, rules, or decrees” merely as a list of do’s and don’ts. Of course the law of God is a list of things we must do and which we must not do. “Thou shalt not…” and “Thou shalt…” is all over especially the Old Testament. But one who tends toward rule bending (I’m not a deliberate rule-breaker, nor am I a rigid rule-follower), the love for God’s decrees, laws, and statutes has been somewhat muted.

But then I began to think differently. IRS rules: yuck! Bureaucratic paperwork requirements: No thank you! HOA covenants: only when they apply to others in my neighborhood. Same goes for the rules of ruthless dictators, drug lords, or organized crime bosses. No. Thank. You.

But God’s rules are all about justice, truth, love, and mercy. And even when those rules impinge on my own sense of righteousness – self-righteousness to be exact – they are meant to turn me back to God. When I realize I’ve broken God’s laws, decrees, or commandments, I repent, seek forgiveness, and change my way of living.

If true repentance means a change of mind – and that’s literally what the Greek word metanoia means – then I’m repenting of my bad thoughts about God’s decrees, commandments, and laws. I’m learning to love them.

You might be almost shocked to hear my confession in this regard. I’m sorry if that’s the case. But we all can learn new things about God’s word, law, commandments, and decrees. And I’m pretty sure I’m not finished learning.

In fact the laws of God are pure and good because God is not primarily a law-giver. God is a redeemer of sinners, a lover of the lost, abounding in steadfast love. So I say, “Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise.” Amen.