Devotional – August 25, 2004

Thus says the Word of God:

Great peace have those who love your law;
nothing can make them stumble.
(Psalm 119:165, ESV)

It is commonplace to state that God’s law is an expression of the loving will of the LORD for our lives; it is the “manufacturer’s manual” that must be obeyed by His people. It is perfect, good and acceptable, destined to revive the soul. And this text from the longest Psalm of the Bible confirms this notion, because it states clearly that the law of God guarantees lasting peace. Now, this peace is not the mere lack of disturbances or trouble; it is a deep, inner peace, derived from the strong will to please and serve the Heavenly Father, from Whom all blessings flow.

But today’s text calls our attention because it says something else. Peace does not come from doing or not doing something, or to observe certain rules as a mere formality. The Psalmist, in contrast, proclaims that peace is the gift of those who love the LORD’s law. Loving the law of God requires from us an active obedience, which comes not from fear, but from the love of the one who freely choses to offer himself to the Father’s will, in trusting response to Him who loved us first. For those who are willing to give everything for the sake of God’s love, He promises a peace which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7.

How many times we have wanted peace! The true Shalom, God’s everlasting peace, is out there, even amidst grief, pain, suffering and tragedy, amids the shadow of death and the challenges of life. The LORD tells us that even so, if we love His law, nothing will make us stumble. That is the peace our Lord Jesus Christ cried for, and it is the same He is offering us today.

“If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace!”

Prayer
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world: have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world: have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world: give us your peace.

O Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world: take away all impiety from us and give us your peace, which surpasses all understanding, so that me might draw closer to the throne of the Father with a confident heart, always walking in loving obedience of His law, which is agreeable, good and perfect. By our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.