Psalm 112:1 Praise the LORD.
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who finds great delight in his commands.

Many of the Psalms speak of “fearing the Lord,” and here we have a specific example of what that means. Someone who fears God rightly, not running from Him in terror but understanding that He is altogether righteous and holy, as well as loving and compassionate, will delight to do what He says. As came out in yesterday’s reading also, Jesus made it clear that obedience is an indication of our love for Him. (John 14:15, 24) If we find we are resenting what He tells us to do, then we need to examine our hearts to see how much we love Him. It’s important to make the distinction here between what God tells us to do and human religious regulations. I have seen quite a few people driven from God by legalistic Christian groups. I’m not at all saying that God’s commands are to be taken lightly, but I am saying, as Paul stressed to the Galatians and others, that forced, external piety does not bring us closer to God. (Colossians 3:23) True piety, true right standing with God, must start from within with both a fear and a love of God. Actually, we can’t love Him correctly unless we fear Him, in the sense of understanding that He is all powerful and awesome and holy. If we have that attitude and understanding, then we will indeed delight to do what He says.

This is a good reminder to me. I am not to presume on my past relationship with God, but keep it up to date, both in obedience and in repentance when I realize I have failed to obey. I am to keep pressing in to Him, understanding that I have nothing apart from Him and that He alone is worthy of my obedience and adoration. I am not to complain when He tells me to do something, and I am to trust Him when it looks like things are not going as I would like. That last part is perhaps the hardest for me! Trusting Him really is indivisible from fearing and loving Him. As I seek to lead others to love and trust Him, I need to keep tabs on my own trust and obedience.

Lord, this is certainly an ongoing issue. Thank You for the very clear lyrics You gave me several years ago now, if I recall correctly. I ask for a good tune to go with them, through whomever You choose to provide it, so that we may sing those lyrics here and be encouraged by them. Thank You. Praise God!

What does God require of His people
For the life of happiness He’s planned?
Just to trust the Lord in all you think and do,
And follow every leading of His hand.

Lord, I choose to trust you, and to follow,
Surrendering my life in every way.
Lead me, Lord, for I am prone to wander.
Lord, I choose to trust you, and obey.