i hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. i do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. [psalm 119:101-102]
i do not turn aside.
i have a black lab that i taught how to retrieve ducks. it was a lot of work, but the fruit of his training extends well past retrieving a downed duck. he is super obedient, gentle, and … did i say obedient. every where i go he follows. and most importantly, if i am in sight, his eyes are fixed on me. when we are out playing “fetch it up,” there is a routine. it is amazing, his eyes are fixed on me until it is time to go “fetch it up!” during training, he had to be taught this. it is natural for a retriever to retrieve. but, it is not natural for them to be completely obedient. and, obedience begins and ends on where their eyes are fixed.
i do not turn aside.
obedience for you and i is much the same. where are our eyes are fixed, according to God’s voice, affects our obedience.
i do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me.
in one sense, Jesus is our friend, our intimate ally, and our brother who loves us. but in another sense, he is our Master, our Lord, our King who demands holy obedience. he can be both. he is both. which means, he has taught us to fix our eyes on him and his voice – because he loves us. his love knows obedience honors and glorifies the Father and protects and provides for us. he knows obedience is the best and only way we can live in intimate union with him. and, it all begins with this truth …
i do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me.
today Lord, fix our eyes on you and your voice. do not let us turn aside. in your love, lead us to follow, lead us to obey – for joy, for love, for your glory, and your fame.
in Jesus name – amen!
~ john ryan