I Will Obey

             I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me. (Psalm 119:8) 

For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” (Galatians 3:10-11)

 

There’s a scene in Star Wars: A New Hope in which Luke shoots one of the imperials ships, and shouts to Han about it. Han responds with “Don’t get cocky.” That’s a good approximation of my reaction to “I will obey your decrees.” As I’ve listened to young folks with their dreams about how they “will get rich,” I think something similar. Mind you, I’ve been there, but now I’m old and while I may dream, I’m not brash enough to proclaim “I will…”

Some people might think I’m being too hard on the psalmist, but when faced with a list of those commandments, those people usually fall back on “we live by grace” or “God forgives,” or “You’re too picky.” Some may think that my unwillingness to “name and claim” has jinxed my chances, but that’s a topic for a different day.

And they’re right about the first two, but not the third. I’m just as likely to try to justify breaking some commandments as they are. I’m just as big a failure because if you depend on obeying all His decrees for your salvation, one failure is all it takes.

But the second half of the verse gives me another idea about the first half, one that isn’t cocky. The psalmist is making a vow, but he isn’t boasting. Obeying God’s decrees is his desired outcome, and he pleads that God would not utterly forsake him as a result of his failures. It is a cry for mercy made in humility, but it’s also a cry of heartfelt hope. It’s a goal for each moment, with grace making up when we fail because God’s grace is immeasurable, His forgiveness unending to those who seek Him.