Psalm 119:73-80 Yodh
Yodh - The Justice of the Law of God; The Symbol of Creation (several other spelling; Yod, Jod, Yud…)
Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word.
I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.
Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.
Let the insolent be put to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehood; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
Let those who fear you turn to me, that they may know your testimonies.
May my heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame!
Jay Adams speaks to the idea of creation in the first verse of this stanza (verse 73) in his book “Counsel from Psalm 119).
The Psalmist not only acknowledges that God is His Creator, but he bases his appeal upon the fact. In essence he says, ‘You made me; now make me what I ought to be.’ He is not blaming God for having done a poor work of making him. No, if you asked him, he would say the opposite. Rather, the idea seems to be, if You made me and formed me into what I became, surely you can remake me to overcome the effects of sin that have ruined Your creation. He wants to be able to understand the Bible so that he can carry out the purpose of his existence (his true identity in the Kingdom of God - added by Burke Care)
Rabbin Deborah Brandt reminds her readers in her book, “A Devotional Study in Psalm 119” of the New Testament teaching in Matthew 5 where we are reminded that Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill the law.
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. —Matthew 5:17-18 ESV
Jesus came as the better David (King), the better Moses (Prophet) and the better Priest (Aaron). Jesus perfectly fulfills the law, perfectly lives the life of perfect King, Prophet, and Priest. He is the exact living image of the unseen God…
He is the exact living image [the essential manifestation] of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible], the firstborn [the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator] of all creation. Forby Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [that is, by His activity] and for Him. And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [His is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.] He is also the head [the life-source and leader] of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything. For it pleased the Father for all the fullness [of deity—the sum total of His essence, all His perfection, powers, and attributes] to dwell [permanently] in Him (the Son), and through [the intervention of] the Son to reconcile all things to Himself, making peace [with believers] through the blood of His cross; through Him, [I say,] whether things on earth or things in heaven. — Colossians 1:15-20 Amplified
From Genesis to Revelation, the justice of the Law of God is found in the person of Jesus. It is not in the law but in the relationship with the one who perfectly fulfilled the law. As followers of Jesus, we should not focus on trying to live the perfect life but on living in relationship with the one who lived the perfect life, Jesus.
Burke Care would like to encourage you to ponder and pursue these thoughts with a safe and spiritually healthy friend. We are here to talk but please continue to respond to God as He faithfully reveals Himself to you through His Word, your circumstances, your community, and through prayer. Please reach out to Burke Care if you would like to talk.
Father God, thank You for creating me the way You have and thank You for not allowing me to stay that way. Thank You for loving me enough to not allow me to stay immature in my relationship with You. Thank You for loving me enough to discipline me and conform me into the image of Jesus. Thank You for not giving up on me.
Application Questions:
What are areas of my life that I need to “grow up”?
Where is God disciplining me today?
In what ways do I need to look to God for direction in my life and stop looking to self or others?
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