Rejoicing in Following the Rules

 

“I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.”

—Psalm 119:14

When we were very young children, we first began to learn about rules and regulations. Likely no one sat down with us, got out a book of rules, and tried to educate us as to which behaviors were acceptable and which were not. But, we did, in fact, very soon learn that some ways we behaved would reap punishment and other ways we behaved would reap praise. And, thus, learning began to take place.

Some people never like rules. They approach all rules as restrictive means to hold them back from experiencing the fullness of life. Other people see rules as boundaries that create a relatively safe environment in which to live. If a person decides to obey the rules, then he or she may live a relatively peaceful and safe life.

So, for some the rules are a barrier to freedom. To others the rules set them free to enjoy life within a protective boundary created by the rules.

Clearly the Psalmist was in this latter group of people when he wrote these words recorded in Psalm 119:14:

I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.

I wonder—as we go through each day—do we rejoice in following the rules God has laid out in His Word, the Bible. Or, do we see such rules as impediments to our freedom?

If we believe that God knows what’s best for us, then we can join with the Psalmist and rejoice at the freedom and protection the rules God has given us provide. I do believe I am going to stake my claim with those who follow the rules and “rejoice in those rules as one rejoices in great riches.” How about you?

 

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