Day 19
January 21
Psalm 119:145-152
These verses are a beautiful paradox. The Psalmist is crying out in desperation about
people attacking him. He needs help. But he recognizes that the desired result is not the
end of trouble, but the ability to follow God’s Word. And yet he also obtains this goal with God’s Word!
First, he recognizes that the end goal is to obey God. He is crying out for justice and
protection, but it is not so he can be free of pain. He wants to be free to follow God’s
Word. “Rescue me, THAT I MAY OBEY your laws.” (v. 146)
Second, he recognizes that the goal of following God’s Law is achieved by following
God’s Law. “Let me be revived BY FOLLOWING YOUR REGULATIONS.” (v. 149)
This is not a contradiction. Water sustains all life and God’s Word sustains spiritual
life. Stomach cramps are a symptom of a lack of water, and suffering is a symptom of
mankind’s lack of obedience to God’s Word. Consuming water keeps you hydrated in a
desert, and obeying God’s Word maintains spiritual health in a world of suffering.
The solution you’ve been seeking is not to rid yourself of pain or to gain pleasure. It’s
the satisfying, peaceful, joyful life walking in alignment with God’s Word. It shouldn’t
surprise us that the way to achieve it is to simply walk in alignment with God’s Word.
Example: Adultery causes pain. If your only goal is to end the pain, you’ll fail. If your
goal is to walk in obedience to God’s Word, you won’t even look at someone lustfully.
The result is both obedience and the prevention of pain caused by sin.
Therefore, make your goal to walk in obedience, and walk in obedience to achieve your goal.
Pastor Philip Hahn
These verses are a beautiful paradox. The Psalmist is crying out in desperation about
people attacking him. He needs help. But he recognizes that the desired result is not the
end of trouble, but the ability to follow God’s Word. And yet he also obtains this goal with God’s Word!
First, he recognizes that the end goal is to obey God. He is crying out for justice and
protection, but it is not so he can be free of pain. He wants to be free to follow God’s
Word. “Rescue me, THAT I MAY OBEY your laws.” (v. 146)
Second, he recognizes that the goal of following God’s Law is achieved by following
God’s Law. “Let me be revived BY FOLLOWING YOUR REGULATIONS.” (v. 149)
This is not a contradiction. Water sustains all life and God’s Word sustains spiritual
life. Stomach cramps are a symptom of a lack of water, and suffering is a symptom of
mankind’s lack of obedience to God’s Word. Consuming water keeps you hydrated in a
desert, and obeying God’s Word maintains spiritual health in a world of suffering.
The solution you’ve been seeking is not to rid yourself of pain or to gain pleasure. It’s
the satisfying, peaceful, joyful life walking in alignment with God’s Word. It shouldn’t
surprise us that the way to achieve it is to simply walk in alignment with God’s Word.
Example: Adultery causes pain. If your only goal is to end the pain, you’ll fail. If your
goal is to walk in obedience to God’s Word, you won’t even look at someone lustfully.
The result is both obedience and the prevention of pain caused by sin.
Therefore, make your goal to walk in obedience, and walk in obedience to achieve your goal.
Pastor Philip Hahn