by Joanna Bursch

Psalm 19:7-14

The law of the Lord is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his errors?
    Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
    let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
    and innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

The law of the Lord so often feels like a paradox. A rubbing of two conflicting sides, as Paul points out to us. We are constantly vying for what our spirit and flesh want and the law feels as though it boxes us in, dictates things to us what we don’t like or want. I so often long to follow the whims of today that tell me that I can determine the right path for myself. I can “follow my heart” to the right and holy place. I want to throw off the constraints of this law and walk in my own freedom. The law can feel like a cage.

But the Psalmist tells us that he deeply delights in the law of the Lord. That in the law of the Lord there is great joy. It revives his soul- it enlightens the eyes and is sweeter than honey. The constraints of the law seem to offer him freedom. This doesn’t make sense to me.

I’ve been thinking about how the law of the Lord is like a boat. A structure from which I can endlessly enjoy and immerse myself in the beauties of the lake around me. If I got out of the boat, and swam in the water, I could also enjoy this beauty, but I would get tired. My muscles would ache, my body temperature would rebel against my wishes and if I continued to dwell in the water, I would die.

The law of the Lord is like a boat. It is a saving raft of structured care. It holds me, hems me in and allows me freedom to delight in the goodness surrounding me. Without the care and safety of the confines of my boat I am directionless, exposed, and in danger.

The guidance of our Father’s hand- the kindness of His instruction- affords us safety, freedom and abiding joy. We can be like children who are safe, guarded and free to be amazed by our surroundings.

The song accompanying this reflection is one of pure joy and surrender. I hear the rejoicing of the Psalmist in its exuberance.

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart…”

This is where true joy and freedom are found.

Joanna Bursch is a worship leader along with her husband at Village Anglican Church in Greenville, SC.

Lent Day 25