God’s creation is a marvelous thing. We often take it for granted, but we breathe
the air, use the resources provided in it, and find beauty in it. It is the backdrop to everything we do, and,
as such, we overlook how magnificent it is and the message it proclaims – “There
is a Creator. He is wonderful and
amazing. He is a wise designer, and He
put this world together with intricate precision and balance!”
Look to the heavens and see the stars set forth in their
majesty. They stand in perfect order,
following their courses year after year, century after century. By these mankind has measured time, navigated
oceans, and learned to know the vastness of the universe!
Observe the sun.
Day by day it rises and sets. It’s
actually a trick of perception. The world
turns at the precise rate with its varying tilt to form days and seasons, yet
we cannot deny standing on the western shore of Lake Huron that it looks like
the sun rises out of the water, and at the end of the day, on the eastern shore
of Lake Michigan, it looks like it sets slowly back into the deep. Its light powers plants to grow, to
photosynthesize, process carbon dioxide, release oxygen, and make sugars. If we were not the precise distance from the
sun that we are, we would either freeze to death or roast. We are exactly the right distance, in what is
called The Goldilocks Zone: Not too hot,
not too cold, but just right.
I sometimes find it amazing that people conclude that
this all happened by random chance. If
one were to find a magnificent watch (the old kind with gears and works) lying
on the ground they would never conclude that it sprung up out of nothing by
chance and happenstance! Yet our
universe is far more complex than the most magnificent of watches. It was designed and ordered by God, and what
we often refer to as “Laws of Nature” are actually His order and design so that
we can know and understand this world, empowering us to rule over and tend to His
creation.
In the same way, God’s law and design for our life is good. That, more than the marvel of creation, is at
the heart of why we praise God in this psalm.
“YHWH’s instructions are right, making the heart glad. YHWH’s commandment is pure making eyes shine.”
(My translation) His design for our life
is so wonderful that it is more desirable than fine gold and sweeter than honey
straight from the comb.
Of course we don’t always see God’s law and design that
way. Because of our sin, we often perceive
the law as burdensome, irksome, intrusive and annoying. It constantly accuses us (lex semper accusat) and shows us our
sin. But as one who is forgiven, our
relationship to the law has changed.
When Christians think of God’s commands, we remember two
quotes from Jesus that are extremely important.
They come from opposite ends of His ministry. The first is, “"Do not think that I have
come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to
fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the
smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear
from the Law until everything is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:17-18 NIV) The second is, “It is finished.” (John 19:30
NIV) Jesus has fulfilled the law for
us. He finished the job. Its crushing burden has been taken away. Indeed, we can rightly say that the burden
crushed Jesus in our place!
The Law still accuses us, but as the redeemed we also
rejoice that we have been relieved of the burden as we see the wisdom and power
of God – wisdom and power that led Him to save us through Jesus’ sacrifice and
resurrection.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Amen.
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