The Perfect Law of God: The Qualities, The Benefits and Call to Obedience

Psalm 19:7–11 (ESV)

7 The law of the Lord is perfect,

reviving the soul; (converting, refreshing)

the testimony (statutes) of the Lord is sure,

making wise the simple;

8 the precepts of the Lord are right,

rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the Lord is pure,

(radiant) enlightening the eyes;

9 the fear of the Lord is clean,

enduring forever;

the rules of the Lord are true,

and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold,

even much fine gold;

sweeter also than honey

and drippings of the honeycomb.

11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

The Perfect Law of God

AS HUMAN BEINGS, WE OFTEN STRUGGLE WITH UNDERSTANDING OR ACCEPTING AUTHORITY.

TRUTH BE TOLD…WE HAVE A TENDENCY TO SEEK OUR OWN WAYS INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING GOD'S COMMANDS.

HOWEVER, IN OUR TEXT THIS MORNING WE ARE REMINDED OF THE PERFECT LAW OF GOD AND ITS ROLE IN OUR LIVES.

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS…… LET ME SUGGEST THAT IN OUR TEXT WE WILL FIND TRUTH THAT IS BOTH PROFOUND AND TRANSFORMATIVE…..SO LET US TURN OUR ATTENTION TO ONE OF THE MOST BELOVED AND POWERFUL PASSAGES IN THE BOOK OF PSALMS, PSALM 19:7-11.

THIS PASSAGE IS PART OF A LARGER PSALM WRITTEN BY KING DAVID, AND IT IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN COMPOSED DURING HIS REIGN IN ISRAEL.

DAVID WROTE THIS PSALM TO PRAISE GOD AND DECLARE THE GLORY AND PERFECTION OF HIS LAW.

THE PHRASE "THE LAW OF THE LORD" CAN BE TRANSLATED FROM HEBREW AS "TORAH YHWH." THIS HIGHLIGHTS THE DIVINE AUTHORITY AND SIGNIFICANCE OF GOD'S WORD.

I. THE QUALITIES OF THE LAW OF GOD (PSALM 19:7-9)

A. IT IS PERFECT (V. 7A)

- OBSERVATION: THE LAW OF GOD IS FLAWLESS AND WITHOUT ERROR.

- INTERPRETATION: THIS IMPLIES THAT GODS LAW IS COMPLETELY TRUSTWORTHY AND RELIABLE.

THE PSALMIST BEGINS BY DECLARING, THE LAW OF THE LORD IS PERFECT, REVIVING THE SOUL (PSALM 19:7A ESV). HERE, WE SEE THE OUTSET OF THE NARRATIVE, THE INTRODUCTION OF THE MAIN CHARACTER, THE PERFECT LAW OF THE LORD. WE ARE IMMEDIATELY DRAWN IN BY THE DESCRIPTION OF ITS PERFECTION AND THE PROMISE OF REVIVING THE SOUL.

THE HEBREW WORD USED FOR "PERFECT" IN PSALM 19:7 IS "TAMIM," (TA MEME) WHICH CONVEYS THE IDEA OF COMPLETENESS, INTEGRITY, AND SOUNDNESS.

PROVERBS 30:5 - "EVERY WORD OF GOD IS FLAWLESS; HE IS A SHIELD TO THOSE WHO TAKE REFUGE IN HIM." THIS VERSE FURTHER EMPHASIZES THE PERFECTION AND RELIABILITY OF GOD'S WORD.

THIS PERFECTION IS NOT MERELY A HUMAN STANDARD BUT AN ATTRIBUTE OF GOD HIMSELF.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT SOMETHING BEING PERFECT, WE THINK THAT IT’S FLAWLESS….NOTHING AT ALL IS WRONG WITH IT….

NOT A SPOT OR BLEMISH…..

***HOW THE WORLD SEEKS VAIN PERFECTION ….. (PLASTIC SURGERY, BOTOX)

*** USE OF TECHNOLOGY TO LOOK PERFECT (FILTERS ON IG ALSO KNOWN AS INSTAGRAM)

TRUTH BE TOLD….NONE OF US IS PERFECT….NOR CAN WE BE……OUR PERFECTION IS THROUGH CHRIST ALONE…..

- APPLICATION: AS BELIEVERS, WE CAN TRUST IN THE PERFECTION OF GODS LAW AND FOLLOW IT WITH CONFIDENCE.

ANOTHER QUALITY OF THE LAW OF THE LORD….…

B. IT REVIVES THE SOUL (V. 7B)

- OBSERVATION: THE LAW OF GOD HAS THE POWER TO BRING LIFE AND RENEWAL TO OUR SOULS.

- INTERPRETATION: THIS MEANS THAT THE LAW OF GOD HAS THE ABILITY TO REFRESH AND REVIVE US SPIRITUALLY.

- APPLICATION: WHEN WE ARE FEELING SPIRITUALLY WEARY, WE CAN TURN TO GODS LAW FOR NOURISHMENT AND RESTORATION.

IT IS THROUGH THE LAW THAT WE FIND TRUE REFRESHMENT AND RESTORATION FOR OUR WEARY SOULS.

EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING REFRESHING……ICE COLD TEA….ICE COLD COKE OR PEPSI….

ICE COLD WATER…..

PSALM 119:105 - "YOUR WORD IS A LAMP FOR MY FEET, A LIGHT ON MY PATH."

BUT WHAT IS THIS LAW OF THE LORD?

WE FIND THE ANSWER IN THE NEXT PHRASE, THE TESTIMONY OF THE LORD IS SURE (PSALM 19:7B ESV).

ANOTHER QUALITY OF THE LAW……

C. IT MAKES WISE THE SIMPLE (V. 7C)

THE PHRASE “SIMPLE” HERE REFERS TO THOSE WHO ARE NAIVE OR INEXPERIENCED, AND IT EMPHASIZES THE UNIVERSAL APPEAL AND ACCESSIBILITY OF GOD’S WORD

- OBSERVATION: THE LAW OF GOD HAS THE ABILITY TO BRING UNDERSTANDING AND WISDOM TO THOSE WHO ARE INEXPERIENCED OR NAIVE.

- INTERPRETATION: THIS SHOWS THAT EVEN THOSE WHO ARE NOT WELL-VERSED IN THE WAYS OF GOD CAN GAIN WISDOM BY STUDYING AND OBEYING HIS LAW.

THE LAW OF THE LORD IS HIS TESTIMONY, HIS WORDS SPOKEN TO US FOR OUR INSTRUCTION AND GUIDANCE. WE SEE ITS SURENESS, ITS RELIABILITY, AND ITS UNCHANGING NATURE.

THIS SHOWS THAT THE WORD OF GOD IS RELIABLE AND TRUE, AND IT HAS THE ABILITY TO IMPART WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING TO THOSE WHO MAY BE LACKING IT.

MATTHEW 4:4 - "JESUS ANSWERED, 'IT IS WRITTEN: MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT COMES FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"

THIS VERSE HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF RELYING ON GOD'S WORD FOR SUSTENANCE AND SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT.

THE PSALMIST PROCLAIMS THAT THE TESTIMONY OF THE LORD….…MAKE THE SIMPLE WISE.

IN A WORLD FILLED WITH CONFUSION AND CONFLICTING OPINIONS, THE WORD OF GOD STANDS IS OUR UNWAVERING SOURCE OF TRUTH.

IT GUIDES US, PROTECTS US, AND IMPARTS WISDOM TO THOSE WHO SEEK IT.

.AND BY ALIGNING OUR LIVES WITH GOD'S WISDOM , WE FIND STABILITY AND DISCERNMENT IN A WORLD THAT OFTEN LEADS US ASTRAY.

- APPLICATION: WE SHOULD NOT FEEL INTIMIDATED BY THE LAW OF GOD, BUT INSTEAD SEEK TO LEARN FROM IT AND GROW IN WISDOM.

SO WE HAVE THE QUALITIES OF THE LAW OF GOD….. ITS PERFECT, IT REVIVES THE SOUL, IT MAKES WISE THE SIMPLE

THERE ARE ALSO SOME BENEFITS OF OBEYING THE LAW OF GOD….…

II. THE BENEFITS OF OBEYING THE LAW OF GOD (PSALM 19:8-9)

LOOK AT VERSES 8-9

Psalm 19:8–9 ESV

8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

A. IT BRINGS JOY TO THE HEART (V. 8A)

- OBSERVATION: OBEYING THE LAW OF GOD BRINGS A DEEP SENSE OF JOY AND CONTENTMENT.

EXAMPLE OF THE DEEP SENSE OF JOY…..EVEN AT A TIME OF LOSS

- INTERPRETATION: THIS JOY COMES FROM LIVING IN ACCORDANCE WITH GODS WILL AND EXPERIENCING THE BLESSINGS THAT COME FROM OBEDIENCE.

- APPLICATION: WE SHOULD NOT SEE FOLLOWING GODS LAW AS A BURDEN, BUT AS A SOURCE OF JOY AND FULFILLMENT.

B. IT ENLIGHTENS THE EYES (V. 8B)

Psalm 19:8 (NKJV)

The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;

- OBSERVATION: OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW OF GOD HELPS US TO SEE AND UNDERSTAND OUR WORLD FROM HIS PERSPECTIVE.

- INTERPRETATION: THIS MEANS THAT GODS LAW GIVES US A CLEAR AND TRUTHFUL UNDERSTANDING OF LIFE.

THE PSALMIST DECLARES THAT THE COMMANDS OF THE LORD ARE RADIANT, GIVING LIGHT TO THE EYES AND JOY TO THE HEART. WHEN WE WALK IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S COMMANDS, OUR LIVES ARE FILLED WITH PURPOSE, CLARITY, AND DEEP JOY. HIS COMMANDS ILLUMINATE OUR PATH, ENABLING US TO NAVIGATE LIFE'S CHALLENGES WITH CONFIDENCE AND HOPE.

THE JOY AND ILLUMINATION OF GOD'S COMMANDS

OUR FINAL POINT CENTERS ON THE JOY AND ILLUMINATION THAT COME FROM EMBRACING GOD'S COMMANDS.

- APPLICATION: WE SHOULD SEEK TO LIVE IN A WAY THAT ALIGNS WITH GODS LAW IN ORDER TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF OUR PURPOSE AND GODS PLAN FOR OUR LIVES.

C. IT ENDURES FOREVER (V. 9)

- OBSERVATION: UNLIKE THE LAWS OF MAN, THE LAW OF GOD IS ETERNAL AND UNCHANGING.

- INTERPRETATION: THIS IS A REMINDER THAT GODS LAW IS NOT TEMPORARY OR OUTDATED, BUT REMAINS RELEVANT AND APPLICABLE FOR ALL TIME.

Today many of us will go home to watch two games of NFL football to see who will be going to the Super Bowl,….and in every NFL Game… players must follow specific rules and regulations to stay in the game and have a chance at winning. And going to the Super Bowl with the hopes of becoming the Champions..

In the same way, as Christians, we must follow God's law to experience the rewards that come with it….and the rewards we receive is better than any earthly reward we can ever receive

- APPLICATION: WE SHOULD NOT DISREGARD OR DISMISS THE LAW OF GOD, BUT RECOGNIZE ITS ENDURING VALUE AND STRIVE TO FOLLOW IT FAITHFULLY.

III. THE CALL TO OBEDIENCE (PSALM 19:10-11)

A. IT IS MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD (V. 10A)

- OBSERVATION: THE VALUE OF GODS LAW IS GREATER THAN ANY EARTHLY POSSESSION.

- INTERPRETATION: THIS MEANS THAT WE SHOULD PRIORITIZE AND TREASURE THE LAW OF GOD ABOVE ALL ELSE.

- APPLICATION: WE SHOULD BE WILLING TO LET GO OF ANYTHING THAT MAY HINDER OUR OBEDIENCE TO GODS LAW.

B. IT IS SWEETER THAN HONEY (V. 10B)

- OBSERVATION: THE LAW OF GOD IS NOT ONLY VALUABLE, BUT ALSO BRINGS GREAT DELIGHT AND SATISFACTION.

- INTERPRETATION: THIS SHOWS THAT FOLLOWING GODS LAW SHOULD NOT BE SEEN AS A BURDEN, BUT AS A SOURCE OF JOY AND FULFILLMENT.

FL WOULD ALWAYS SAY THAT I’M A COUNTRY BOY….BUT I WOULD ALWAYS SAY I’M FROM THE CITY. SHE WOULD SAY THAT BECAUSE MY FATHER WHEN HE WAS GROWING UP HAD CHICKENS AND OTHER ANIMALS AT HIS HOUSE WHERE HE GREW UP, WHICH WASN’T FAR FROM WHERE I WAS RAISED….IN THE SUBURBS …IN GAITHERSBURG, MD.

BUT WHEN I THINK ABOUT IT….FL…MAY BE ONTO SOMETHING…..I SAY THAT BECAUSE I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS A LITTLE BOY GROWING UP….ME, MY BROTHERS AND COUSINS, FRIENDS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE MY GRANDMOTHER LIVED AND WHERE WE WOULD STAY …………DURING THE SUMMERS …..WOULD WE ALL GO IN THE WOODS….AND TRY TO FIND THOSE WILD HONEY SUCKLE PLANTS…..YOU KNOW THOSE BUSHES WITH THE WHITE AND YELLOW FLOWERS THAT WOULD BLOOM….AND WHEN WE FOUND THEM, THAT WOULD BE A TREAT…..BECAUSE WE WOULD PLUCK OFF THOSE FLOWERS AND PULL THE STEM OUT AND AT THE VERY END OF THAT STEM WOULD BE A SMALL DROP OF NECTAR….AND WE WOULD PUT THAT ON OUR TONGUE AND GET A TASTE OF THE SWEET NECTAR………IT WAS A SWEET TREAT TO ENJOY AS A YOUNG BOY……YOU’D HAVE TO EAT ABOUT 100 OF THEM TO REALLY GET YOUR FULL OF THEM BUT IT THE SWEETNESS WAS SOMETHING TO ENJOY….…

BUT THIS DOESN’T COMPARE TO THE SWEETNESS OF THE LAW OF THE LORD

- APPLICATION: WE SHOULD SAVOR THE SWEETNESS OF GODS LAW AND FIND JOY IN OBEYING IT.

C. IT WARNS US AND REWARDS US (V. 11)

- OBSERVATION: THE LAW OF GOD SERVES AS BOTH A WARNING AGAINST SIN AND A PROMISE OF REWARD FOR OBEDIENCE.

- INTERPRETATION: THIS SHOWS THAT GODS LAW IS NOT MEANT TO LIMIT OR RESTRICT US, BUT TO PROTECT AND GUIDE US TOWARDS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

- APPLICATION: AS WE READ AND STUDY GODS LAW, WE SHOULD HEED ITS WARNINGS AND STRIVE FOR ITS REWARDS.

CONCLUSION:

AS WE REFLECT ON PSALM 19:7-11, WE ARE REMINDED OF THE PERFECT, LIFE-GIVING, AND ENDURING NATURE OF GODS LAW.

THROUGH OBEDIENCE, WE CAN EXPERIENCE THE JOY, WISDOM, AND PROTECTION THAT COME FROM FOLLOWING HIS LAW. LET US STRIVE TO TREASURE AND OBEY THE LAW OF GOD IN ALL AREAS OF OUR LIVES.

TAKE TIME TO READ AND STUDY GODS LAW DAILY AND ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT TO REVEAL ITS WISDOM AND TRUTH TO YOU. EMBRACE THE JOY OF FOLLOWING GODS LAW AND BE WILLING TO OBEY EVEN WHEN IT MAY BE DIFFICULT. LET THE LAW OF GOD GUIDE AND TRANSFORM YOUR HEART, MIND, AND ACTIONS AS YOU SEEK TO LIVE A LIFE THAT HONORS HIM.

PSALM 19:7-11 DESCRIBES GOD'S WORD AS PERFECT, SURE, RIGHT, PURE, AND TRUE. IT IS WITHOUT ERROR AND PROVIDES US WITH EVERYTHING WE NEED TO LIVE A GODLY LIFE. BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF GOD'S WORD IS THAT IT POINTS US TO OUR SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. IN JOHN 1:14, WE READ THAT "THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US." JESUS, THE LIVING WORD, CAME TO THIS WORLD TO SAVE US FROM OUR SIN AND RECONCILE US TO GOD. THROUGH HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION, WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN FORGIVENESS AND ETERNAL LIFE. THIS IS THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL!

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS….. IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, I INVITE YOU TO OPEN YOUR HEARTS TO THE WORD OF GOD. LET IT SPEAK TO YOU AND TRANSFORM YOU FROM THE INSIDE OUT. JESUS SAID IN JOHN 8:31-32, "IF YOU ABIDE IN MY WORD, YOU ARE TRULY MY DISCIPLES, AND YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE." LET US NOT ONLY BE HEARERS OF THE WORD, BUT ALSO DOERS (JAMES 1:22). LET US SUBMIT TO GOD'S WORD AND ALLOW IT TO SHAPE OUR THOUGHTS, ACTIONS, AND DESIRES