Psalm 119:105 “For the commandment is a lamp, and the whole teaching of the law is light, and reproofs of discipline are the way of life…”. Jeremiah tells us to ask… seek and learn the good way and walk in it. In Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, he plainly states without the law, we would not know sin. The law given to Israel could be considered as Rules for Righteousness, and Jesus confirms they all still exist, but can be wrapped up simply as loving God and loving others. King Solomon and the writer of our Psalm agree that the Law brings light and life. There’s a standard for goodness… we can see how desperately we need to control the flesh and its desires in order to be obedient to God’s law. When God rejected Cain’s offering, Cain was angry, indignant. Pride, a powerful emotion seated himself over Cain’s heart, causing sadness and depression. God spoke to Cain, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you, but you must master it”. God’s very Word gave Light to the way Cain should go. Cain declined the lighted path and chose to murder his brother. We know in our hearts the Word is a lamp to our feet, a light to our path… if we choose to see and hear, we’ll hear His Word and see the light. We know where our next footsteps should be. We’ll have darkness at our back, walking away from Pride and Selfishness. We’re intentional in our pursuit of the Light, embracing spirits of Humility and Selflessness. His Word is reproof and discipline, it’s a way of life for us. We study it, fall under its conviction, and rejoice when we hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant”. God speaks through Solomon when He says “My son, do not despise or shrink from the chastening of the Lord, His correction by punishment, or by subjection to suffering or trial; neither be weary of, or impatient about or loath or abhor His reproof, for whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in
