So in my last post, I mentioned that I got a new Bible. I was so excited to use it!! I left it out on my bed, and when I walked back in the room I found this… (picture has been staged to reenact the actual event….)

My boxer Moses was eating my new Bible! I am not even kidding you! And he has never chewed on a book in his life. Sooo bizarre!  I am convinced that he can read Hebrew, and he wanted to keep the Old Law buried!! I explained to him that I understand we are under the New Covenant and GRACE, but he wasn’t convinced. ☹

Anyways.. I don’t really believe my dog Moses is the real Moses (ha!), although whether he can read Hebrew is debatable… dogs are smart!! But here’s the point. Can you relate to how my Moses feels about the Bible? Maybe you don’t try to destroy yours, but do you view it as a book of rules to follow that burden you? Do you feel like it’s one more thing you are “supposed to do”?

Yesterday in our small group, we talked about Psalm 19. It’s a beautiful Psalm of David describing how God reveals himself to us. In verses 1-6, David speaks about God’s revelation through nature and then moves on to how God reveals himself to us through His Word. Look at Psalm 19:7-11 below.

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
Sweeter than honey and drippings of honeycomb,
Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them is great reward. (ESV)

Notice that David is talking about God’s, law, precepts, rules, etc. We cannot deny that God’s instruction is not only for our good but IS good. David is singing the praises of God’s law. Delighting in the LORD is delighting in His Word, which includes his rules for us! (I have never been a fan of rules, so I never thought I would say that!!)

Look at what he says in verse 7, “the law is perfect, reviving the soul.” When you stop and think on that… it’s contrary to everything our human nature and culture tells us. We think the law is a downer, something to suppress us, but David tells us it revives us!

I read something from Charles Spurgeon that just blew my mind. The King James Version reads in verse 7 “the law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul.” Spurgeon said that the Word of God is the great means of conversion; in other words, the Word of God is the great way by which we are saved. It contains the Gospel! So God’s Word has the power through the Holy Spirit to revive our souls from eternal death to eternal life, and then daily it revives us when we are worn down, weak , weary, etc. How cool is that?

And skip on down to verse 8. “The commandments of the Lord are pure, enlightening the eyes.” The NIV says, “The commandments of the LORD are radiant.” OK, when I think of commandments, the word “radiant” does not come to mind. (Just being honest!) But I have experienced God’s commandments opening my eyes. When we walk in His ways, we are walking in the light. Our eyes are opened. It’s no wonder Psalm 119:105 says “thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”

One of the reasons I am so passionate about God’s Word is because I have been on the side where it seemed like a bunch of rules I had to follow. I felt overwhelmed with the legalistic side of Bible study, and so I just threw all His “law” out the window. I learned the hard way that He gave us His Word, His instructions for a reason, and they are in fact for our good. Who would have thought?! 😊

After a tough season in my life forced me to rely on Him and His Word in a new way, my eyes opened up to the wonderful things in His law. Today when I read His Word, I just can’t believe He gave it to us. It often overwhelms me in a good way, and literally takes my breath away. My soul is revived, my heart rejoices, and my eyes are enlightened. It is the most amazing adventure. I am so far from perfect, and I am reminded daily how desperate I am for His grace. But His Word sustains me.

If you have not experienced God’s Word in the way David describes it, if it seems like a book of rules or outdated stories that have nothing to do with your life, something that you are “supposed” to do, ask the Lord to open your eyes to the wonderful things in His law.  And keep reading His Word. It is one of His greatest gifts just waiting to be unwrapped.

Have a wonderful Monday!

Natalie