Read Psalm 119:81-88 81My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. 82My eyes long for your promise; I ask, “When will you comfort me?” 83For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes. 84How long must your servant endure? When will you judge those who persecute me? 85The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law. 86All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me! 87They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. 88In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.
Psalm 119 is not the song of a legalist. It would be hard to imagine that David, having committed so many law-breaking acts, and having received so much mercy, would think that he is able to keep the entirety of God’s law and in so doing that he is able to ensure God’s blessing in his life. No, this is not the song of a Pharisee. It is the song of someone who knows that they need the life touch of God upon them. David doesn’t want to simply fulfill a duty; he wants to live!
Verse 88 makes David’s gospel understanding clear. First comes life from God’s steadfast love. His covenant, unconditional love. Then, comes keeping the testimonies of God’s mouth.
This is the same order of operations as in our union with Christ. First God mediates a New Covenant with us by his grace. Then, at the moment of our faith, he freely bestows the life of Christ upon us by the Holy Spirit. Finally, that same Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, empowers us to keep the testimonies of the Lord for the rest of our days.
Legalists get this order backwards: first keep the law, then get God’s love and life as a reward. What about you? Are you a legalist? Are you still trying to earn the blessing with your obedience, or does your obedience flow from the blessing? When it does, that’s to live is Christ.
You: Are you a legalist? Are you earning God’s blessing?
You in Christ: How does the grace we receive in Chris allow us to obey God’s commands from a pure heart?
Christ in you: What obedience might God’s grace motivate in you today?
Pray: Father, your love has given me life. May I be empowered to obey your testimonies knowing that I have everything I need for obedience in Christ. Amen.
To Live is Christ 