Teachings and Orders that Give Life

Passage to be read: Psalm 119: 89-96

"If I had not loved your teachings,

I would have died from my sufferings. 

I will never forget your orders,

because you have given me life by them"

(Psalm 119: 92,93)

Teachings and orders are common amongst us. Everyday teaches us new things; every experience takes us through a new avenue of learning. We encounter various kinds of teachings that instruct us and provide us the basic ideas about few things. At the same time, we are also trained to follow orders. Right from the little duties at home that we learn as children to the highest professional responsibilities we take up there orders in all different forms. 

Surprisingly, we realize how precious these teachings and orders in our lives have been by guiding us towards the right direction. Seldom that we understand the importance of these teachings and orders while we learn or undergo them. But, at the completion of these seasons of total adherence, we realise the value of following them. Teaching and orders hey have shaped us, have changed us, made us better and have made us stronger. And we feel that sense of achievement after realising that we have come a long way through the entire mill. 

Interestingly, the teaching and orders of the Lord do not just shape us, change us, make us better or stronger, but they give us life! Having a glimpse of what the psalmist expresses, shows us the power of the Lord's teachings and orders. These are not life-changing but life-saving! For the hopeless heart these teachings give hope. For the life surrounded by negatives these orders show the positives. When we feel that there is a 'dead-end' of the road is before us, we find these teachings and orders leading us towards a way that would lead us towards our destination.  

"If I had not loved your teachings,

I would have died from my sufferings."

The psalmist looks back at few moments of his past. He realizes how heavy and burdened he was by these sufferings. And declares that it was his love for Lord's teachings The suffering of our lives sometimes take us to the extent where we begin to think that it is unbearable. With our limited human abilities and strengths, we see every suffering as an ocean in front of us to swim across. But we fail to see that God is watching over. We forget to remember the teachings of our Lord that lead us towards a safe ground. And with the name of Christ Jesus in front of us, every single trouble seems fading away in the most miraculous way. Loving God's teaching is important. Learning to live by those teachings is essential. For when we are in the midst of sufferings that we feel are unable to bear, the Lord's teaching saves us. Loving the Lord's teachings gives us life!

"I will never forget your orders,

because you have given me life by them"

Probably a military personnel would understand the value of an order from a superior. You are on the battle ground as one among the thousands of soldiers; in the midst of the the mess and calamity. But the commander is having a bird's-eye-view of the entire battle ground. He watches the entire battle from a higher place. He knows where you need to head towards. The commander is sending his orders. You better listen to His orders. Trust the Lord and learn to adhere to His orders. The psalmist once again shows how important it is to follow God's orders; it was the way through which the psalmist lives to see this realization. Because he obeyed the Lord's orders he is living. 

Let me share this with you. The teachings and orders of the Lord are not just ways to live our life in the right way, but they are in-built with the power to save our lives; to save our eternity. And those who love the Lord's teachings and do not forget His orders do not have an end to their life of faith. Lord's teachings provide them the way, the channel and the confidence that lead them through all times of trials and temptations; difficulties and sufferings. 

I pray that we will always remember to love the Lord's teachings and to remember His orders, so that the worries and sufferings of this world will never overcome us. May God guide us towards this wonderful and victorious life through the closer walk we would walk with Him.

May God bless you. 

Yours in Christ,