I shall walk at liberty, for I have sought your precepts. Psalm 119:45  

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37  

There seems to be a lot of rules in the Bible. From the Ten Commandments to laws governing all kinds of human activity, there are lots of laws to follow. In Judaism the Levitical laws total 613. Not that there is an actual list of these in the Bible, but these were accumulated from all the places law is given. Trying to even know all of them, much less follow them, would be a difficult task.  

The Psalmist of Psalm 119 celebrates the law and following it. He does not consider this drudgery, or joy killing, but rather the way to worship the Lord. In verse 45 he writes that he will walk in liberty, walk freely, in freedom. Actually the words could be translated as to walk in large places. Note that he does not say he is perfectly following all the laws, rather he is seeking the precepts of God. He is looking to learn more about them, to know God’s will and to practice what God has planned in his life. Later in Psalm 119, verse 105, he writes “God’s word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”  

The Good News that we have in Jesus Christ is that we don’t have to be perfect, or even close to it, in following God’s laws. As Paul writes elsewhere, we have all fallen short, we manage to break commandments all the time. However, through the love of God as shown by Jesus, we are free just as the Psalmist wrote. Paul even writes that we are more than conquerors, more than gaining power and adoration, we get to have a personal relationship with a God who loves us, all of us. As we try our best to seek out and follow His precepts, we can be confident in God’s grace. What a blessing to walk in liberty!  

Thank you Lord for teaching us that obeying you does not inhibit or restrain us, rather it frees us to become who you designed us to be. Forgive us for not feeling good enough. Liberating Lord, on most days, we don’t feel like conquerors. Remind us of the power of your resurrection to empower us this day. Because you conquered sin and death, we can live victoriously, secure in your constant presence with us. Amen.   

Chris Gabel 

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party