Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.”
NL Daily Devotion for Monday, February 19, 2024
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Law, decrees, precepts, commandment, fear, and ordinances. These are the things which, if they are from God, are more to be desired than gold; are sweeter than honey. Maybe it’s because I’m Gen-X, but I’m no big fan of laws, commandments, and ordinances, or the “fear” of authority. It takes work for me to step back and remember that God is not some arbitrary, punishing rule-maker who just wants to see how many hoops they can make humans jump through to prove their worthiness. In fact that’s the complete opposite of who God is and who we are in relationship to God, at least as I understand these things. Human laws, decrees, precepts, commandments, and ordinances may be (and often are) deeply flawed, despite their good intentions, and certainly don’t shine like gold or taste sweet on the tongue like honey. But God’s laws are. Because God’s law is love: love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; love your neighbor; love yourself. As simple as they are, these laws are generally far harder to keep than human ones. But when we do, we find that, yes, they are definitely more to be desired than gold, and sweeter than honey.
When have I felt most aware and in tune with God’s law of love in my life?
