Psalm 119:44-45: “So shall I keep Thy law continually, forever and ever, and I will walk at liberty: for I seek Thy precepts.”
To appreciate the truth hidden in this verse, I am going to contrast it with other verses in Proverbs 5:21-23: “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD and he pondereth all his goings. His own iniquities shall take the transgressor himself, and he shall be held fast (in the sense of being trapped) with the cords of his sin. He shall die without instruction, and in the greatness of his folly, he shall go astray (to wander, to be deceived).” In context, this verse follows several verses that speak to the entrapment of sexual lust. I have witnessed this as a young man with my friend’s dad, and since then, many times over. My dad’s friend had given himself over to sexual lust, and his cords had bound him till he became a slave to that which had promised him freedom, life, and pleasure.
So in contrasting these two verses, we now have a clearer understanding of “liberty,” for many see “liberty” the other way—that obeying God takes away my freedom, not understanding that seeking God and His precepts sets the soul free. Following our own ways, seeking life by our limited resources and driven by emotional hunger, we entrap ourselves, never really sure if we have found the truth. We hope that the happiness we have found will last and not “wear off” like other pursuits, but there is no guarantee. Or as mentioned in the last devotional, we settle for something much less than what God would have for us.
True Christian life is walked out where God gives us freedom to choose—to say “no” to our own desires and “yes” to God’s. He does not force obedience. Obedience is chosen, and obedience is not legalism with all its “rituals.” Obedience comes from the heart, a real “fresh and blood” struggle, which may be hard at first. However, in time, it becomes a natural choice as the Holy Spirit “takes more ground” in our soul. An example I have is to liken our soul to a hotel. When we accept Christ, we are saved and forgiven, but there is still much in us that has not changed. So like our example, the Holy Spirit needs to go into each and every room and clean it, even the closets that no one knows about but us. This is the process of sanctification, which will last our entire life here. To not allow the Holy Spirit in a room stops the process; therefore, God waits. There’s a neat verse that speaks to this truth, but before I share it, let me ask a question. What is your attitude when you are waiting on someone, especially when to you, the choice is so obvious? Do you get impatient? Is God the same way? After all, he has a very busy schedule being God. Isaiah 30:18: “… and therefore the Lord will wait that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore He will be exalted…” So, there is no impatience with God. He waits with the intent purpose to be gracious (kind) to us. If we could only get this, that God’s ways argue for our freedom and for our good, even when it may appear to the contrary.
“And I will walk at liberty, for I seek thy precepts.” Liberty, as we are discussing, is an interesting word. We define it as being able to do what we want to do, when we want to do it, but is that true liberty? It sounds more like a two-year-old child. “Rahab” is the Hebrew word, and by definition means a broad, open space—freedom to walk and live; not confined or restricted; not to be ruled over to our harm. In context, it gives the understanding that as God’s laws become a part of my being, the vices—selfishness, pride, lust, etc.—those weaknesses that entrap us will be overcome. In God’s laws, there is freedom, and the very person of God indwells us, bringing freedom with Him. Jesus gave unto us the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that represents to us the love of God. As we follow Him, denying ourselves and saying yes to Him, “the ground of liberty” is won.
Father God,
I have much yet to learn, but I understand that within me is the means to self-destruct and the means to choose righteousness. God grant me the strength and wisdom to choose righteousness. Thank you and Amen.