The Sweet Rewards of Obedience, a Bible Study Media Devotional

March 13, 2021

The Sweet Rewards of Obedience

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them is great reward.” - Psalm 19:7-11

David wrote that God’s law was to be desired even more than gold, even the finest of gold. To live in obedience to the Lord meant much more to David than even the greatest wealth in this world. David had an understanding that nothing in this world could compare to the love of the Lord and the joy of living in relationship to him. David also must have grasped how the things of this world are temporary while the things of God are eternal.

Is that how we view our wealth? Is that how we view our lives? Do we lay aside our temporary delights to seek eternal delights? Maybe that looks like turning from a pattern of sin to pursue a pattern of holiness. Maybe that means faithfully setting aside every Sunday to worship the Lord instead of heading to the golf course or staying in pajamas. Maybe that means surrendering your grip on finances and truly tithing from what God has entrusted to you.

Whatever God has called you to do, David will remind you that his ways are sweeter than anything we can enjoy on this earth. There are great experiences here, and the Lord would have us to enjoy them; however, our enjoyment is so greatly enhanced when it is from a place of obedience. To enjoy one’s spouse as opposed to another is so much greater; the Lord loves to bless the covenant of marriage. To enjoy one serving of ice cream is so much greater than finishing the carton, and the scale won’t reflect our misdeeds the following day. Life is much more enjoyable when we are not consumed with guilt and shame. God’s ways are always sweeter than the ways of this world!

David concludes this section of his psalm with the reminder that fearing the Lord is healthy. David personally knew the pain of disobedience to the Lord. He experienced incredible heartache as a result of his disobedience, heartache that continued all throughout a very successful reign as King of Israel. David would call us to choose faithfulness so that we can be spared the consequences of sin and enjoy the blessings of obedience. The blessings of obedience are for eternity as well as for today.

Reflection:
How is the Lord challenging you today from David’s psalm? How would he like to change your mindset concerning his laws and commandments? How would he have you change your thinking and your behavior?