Today’s reading is Psalm 119 (vss. 129-144).
The Answer to the Psalmist’s Request
In Psalm 119:133, the psalmist requests, “Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me” (ESV).
No doubt, God, to some degree, granted the psalmist’s request in his own lifetime. I’m sure God helped the psalmist have grace and strength to obey. However, I can’t help but think about Paul’s teaching in Romans 6-7.
Notice Romans 6:14. “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace” (ESV). In other words, our psalmist’s request was not fully granted until Jesus, whose sacrifice purchased the grace which sets us free. The problem with the Law was not with the laws themselves. The laws, the rules, the judgments, the precepts, the statutes, the words, the decrees were great. They were life itself. The problem was what to do when a person broke a law. Adding another law on top of the one that was broken could not provide freedom from being a law-breaker.
Certainly, while the Law was in full force, God administered grace. Our psalmist demonstrates that again and again throughout this psalm and others. But this grace was anchored in something that had not yet occurred when Psalm 119 was written. It was anchored in God’s knowledge of an event yet future to the psalmist.
However, praise God, it is in our past. The grace of Jesus breaks the stranglehold of sin. The sacrifice of Jesus provides the forgiveness that sets us free. The resurrection of Jesus provides the power and reign which strengthens us to truly overcome. The gift of God’s Spirit provides the victory we long for in our fight against temptation and sin.
The psalmist prayed God would remove the dominion of sin. God responded by sending Jesus.
Praise the Lord!
Next week’s reading is Psalm 119 (vss. 145-160).
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PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
What do you want to share with others from Psalm 119:129-145?
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