God Of Grace

[The laws of the LORD] are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.

Psalm 19:11

One of the ways that God pours out his lavish and unbounded love and grace on us is by giving us laws to define the boundaries within which we will find our full freedom. We sometimes mistakenly believe that law and grace are opposites. But God has never been anything other than a God of grace, showering his people with undeserved love and provision. The apex of his grace came into view at Calvary. There our sins were forgiven and washed away, and the plan of grace was fully executed so that we live as the recipients of the salvation Jesus accomplished on our behalf.

We may tend to think of a lawgiver as one with an attitude that says, “I’m the one with the power, so I’m laying down the law. You obey me, or else. I’m just waiting for an infraction so I can show you who’s boss!” But that is not the heart of our Law Giver.

Our Law Giver says, “I created everything that exists. I designed you and created you. Because I love you so much, I’m going to give you the secrets that will allow you to live fully, fearlessly, and freely. I’m going to warn you about the dangers that can derail your life. I’m going to explain how to make the most of everything I have created. I could have let you bungle and bumble your way through the days of your life, but I love you too much.”

When we go our own way and treat God’s laws as if they were a demanding burden instead of a protective covering, we learn the hard way that obeying his laws brings a great reward. He promises that when we walk in his ways, we live in his freedom.

Father, thank you for the protection of your laws. Enable me to walk in your ways so that I can live in your abundance and freedom.

The golden rule for understanding in spiritual matters is not intellect, but obedience.

Oswald Chambers(1874–1917), Scottish minister and teacher