Seeing Wonderful Things: Psalm 119:17-24

I love my Concordia Self-Study Bible.  It has notes for almost every verse, and they're so helpful in my study.  The note for today's passage reads, "Devotion to God's law marks the Lord's servant, but alienates him from the arrogant of the world."  I can relate to this, and I'm sure my brothers and sisters in the faith can as well.  When we strive to obey God and are devoted to his law, it makes it obvious that we are his, but it estranges us from the world.  This is how it should be (in the world but not of it), but sometimes it's hard to always be different.  Sometimes I don't like standing out.  It's those times that I have to remind myself that, like Paul, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16).

The psalmist writes in today's passage,
17 "Do good to your servant, and I will live; I will obey your word."  We obey God out of gratitude for all he has done for us!

18 "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law."  This verse implies two things: The law is good, and until God opens our eyes to see this fact, we are blind to it.  The law is a good thing!  It keeps us from harm, it shows us the right way to live, and it shows us of our need for a Savior.  Yes, the law is good.

19 "I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me."  This earth isn't our home.  We don't belong in the world of darkness, but we know where our true home is and we ask that while we are in this temporary dwelling God still make himself known to us.

20 "My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times."  The psalmist uses such descriptive, passionate language here: his soul is consumed with longing for God's laws!  O that my soul would do the same.

21 "You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed, and who stray from your commands.  22 Remove me from scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes.  23 Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees.  24 Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors."  Again, this is showing the stark contrast between the one who follows and loves God's law, and those who don't.  Those who don't obey God are called arrogant and cursed.  Proverbs 1:7 reads, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."  To disregard God's laws or to think one has fulfilled the law is simply foolish!  I learned this lesson many times when I was younger.  I often "despised the discipline" of my parents, and was then reminded how foolish I was.  Sometimes I was more foolish yet by declaring I didn't care if I was foolish!  I wanted my own way anyway.

This is how I often act as God's child.  I think I know better, and don't care if my way seems foolish.
Today I know how wonderful God's law is, and I want him to open my eyes to see that.  God, let me not be among the arrogant, but among the wise who revere your laws!