A Look at Psalm 119:47

Psalm 119:47 “For I delight in Your commands because I love them.”
 

This is a continuation of the previous verse. The reason David saw no shame in speaking of the things of God, even to earthly kings, was because he loved the commands of God. There is no shame in loving God. When we love something, we submit to it. Submission requires that we bring ourselves under the authority of the one to whom we have submitted. In that light, our only life comes through our obedience to that one.
 

Obedience should always be the result of submission. When we simply are obedient to someone, we tolerate their rules. However, when we submit to someone, our obedience is coupled with a desire to obey. The basis for such submission is love, and that love compels is to obey. Obedience to God is based solely on what one should do, without a desire to obey, may in essence mean there is no submission at all.
 

David said that his delight was in the commands of God because he loved them. Through his obedience, he found life. Jesus said, “I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full” John 10:10. To be full of life, we must be full of the kind of obedience that comes from submission.
 

God is found in the obedience of people. To enter into the presence of God, we must submit to Him. There is more to following God’s commands than simply doing them. In our desire to do them, we find the life of God. In Ephesians 4, we are instructed to "put off our old corrupted-self; to put away lying, and to speak truth; to no longer steal, but to labor; to no longer allow corrupt communication to rule our tongue, but that which is good. In doing so, we will not grieve the Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 4:22-30). Just as the Holy Spirit is grieved by our disobedience, His presence is enhanced by our obedience.
 

Take some time to let this verse sink in – chew (meditate) on it; ask yourself if you truly love the commands of God.

Continued