Walk in the Law, Ps 119:1-8

Ps 119:1-8 shows us that we are supposed to walk in the law.  This is not in the sense of keeping the Old Testament law for salvation.  To walk in the law is to walk by the faith of the words of God; to obey what God shows you to do in the Bible.  We are to be doers of the word and not hearers only.  Pastor James Knox said, “I used to think it was enough for people to be saved and to believe the book.  But they need to get it into their marriages, into their homes, and into every aspect of their lives.”  The psalmist says you need to walk in the law.

You and I need to read what the Bible says and then walk in what it tells us to do.  As you read your Bible you need to follow it.  Ps 119:59-60 shows you a good way to do that.   While you’re reading:

Think on your ways – the Psalmist said, “I thought on my ways.”  You should think about what you are doing and how it compares to what God tells you to do.  Notice where your life is out of sync with God’s words.

Turn your feet to the law – “I turned my feet unto thy testimonies.”  When you see an area of your life that needs to be corrected to get in line with the Bible, turn your feet.  Set yourself in the direction of the words of God and walk that way.

Make haste to keep it – “I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.”  Too often, you will see something that needs to change but you won’t get about changing it.  So, rather than delay, when you see a direction that you need to go, get going immediately.

When you walk in the law, then look what happens:

You will be undefiled – Ps 119:1-4 – “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.”  There are so many defiling influences around us that it is incomprehensible how we can go through this present world without being constantly defiled.  The best way to stay undefiled and to cleanse yourself [2 Cor 7:1] is to walk in the words of God.  It is possible to “do no iniquity” when you “keep (his) precepts diligently.”  If you keep committing the same sin, the besetting sin spoken of in Heb 12:1, then go to the words of God and let God show you what you need to do to get victory over it.  You’re leaving an important step out of your walk.

You will be unashamed – Ps 119:5-6 – “Then shall I nor be ashamed.”  There is a cycle in sin that causes shame.  The shame brings so much attention to the sin that it is magnified.  In a way, shame helps to perpetuate the sin.  The thing to do is to walk in the law so that you are not ashamed.  There is great joy in your relationship with the Lord when you are unashamed.

You will be upright – Ps 119:7-8 – “I will praise thee with uprightness of heart.”  Sin makes your heart wicked.  When you walk in the law, you will be upright.  And when you are upright, you will praise the Lord.  

Conclusion: now when you read your Bible, remember to look for ways to walk in the law.  Turn you feet into God’s direction and make haste to do it.  You will appreciate being undefiled, unashamed, and upright. And the Lord will appreciate that, too.