THE STATUTES OF THE LORD–PSALM 19:8
Introduction:
This is another word that refers to the PRECEPTS of the Word of God. These “statutes” are LAWS that the Lord has laid down in order to protect His people. When these laws are violated the Lord’s people are hurt, generally, because one person will not follow God’s leading.
These “statutes” are “right,” i.e., righteous. They are straightforward (frank and easy to understand). His “statutes” are proper.
I. THE STATUTES OF THE LORD ARE RIGHTEOUS
A. These are God’s laws, Leviticus 26:46, “These are the statutes and judgments and laws, which the LORD made between him and the children of Israel in mount Sinai by the hand of Moses.”
B. He requires that which is right in his sight, Exodus 15:26, “And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.”
1. To hearken [TO ATTEND] to God’s voice, Proverbs 7:24, “Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.”
2. You that follow after righteousness, Isaiah 51:1, “Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.”
a. That you seek the Lord, 2 Chronicles 11:16, “And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.”
b. Look to the Rock from whence you are cut, Deuteronomy 32:4, “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.”
II. THE STATUTES OF THE LORD ARE STRAIGHTFORWARD
A. God’s Statutes are FRANK.
1. They are TRUTHFUL, John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
a. The doctrine of Christ is called “the truth of the gospel,” Galatians 2:4-5, “And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5-To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL might continue with you.”
b. The truth brings freedom from the penalty of sin, John 8:31-32, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32-And ye shall know the TRUTH, and the TRUTH shall make you free.”
2. They are TO THE POINT, NOT EVASIVE.
a. Man speaks vanity and with a “double heart,” Psalm 12:2,“They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.”
b. God’s Spirit guides us, John 16:13, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
B. God’s statutes are EASY to understand,
1. God opens our understanding, Luke 24:44-45, “And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45-Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,”
2. He gives us eyes of understanding, Ephesians 1:18-20, “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19-And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20- Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,”
III. THE STATUTES OF THE LORD ARE PROPER
A. They are correct, like proper clothing for the season, Genesis 3:21, “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.”
B. They are needed:
1. Satisfying our souls, Psalm 107:9, “For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”
2. His Statutes equip us for the task of serving the Lord, Ephesians 4:21-24, “If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22-That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23-And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24-And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
CONCLUSION:
“The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart:” the Psalmist said. The Believer who follows God’s statutes or precepts will be a very happy person. If you are not happy, perhaps it is because you haven’t followed God’s precepts.
That is a problem easy to resolve. Just begin today trusting Jesus Christ as your Saviour and follow Him. If you are already saved, than you need to dedicate you life to Him and serve Him. Then happiness comes.