The Mirror of the Word by C.E. White can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/Mirror-Word-Devotions-Reveal-Refine/dp/B0DFZS83C7  To learn more about this author and other works, visit https://cewhitebooks.com/

“Therefore I love your commandments above gold, yes, above pure gold. Therefore I carefully follow all your precepts concerning everything, I hate every false way. Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul complies with them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”

—Psalm 119:127–130

Most of us view God’s commandments the way a toddler views broccoli—a necessary unpleasantness if we want to get dessert (heaven). 

If we follow them, it’s often with half–hearted reluctance.

So it can feel impossible to live the words of this psalm. 

It isn’t.

The closer we get to the Lord, the more clearly we see his commandments through his heart of love, compassion, provision, and gentle care.

He’s not trying to squelch our fun with commandments; he wants to free us from ourselves, give us abundant life, and take our heavy burdens. The broccoli is not only the path to dessert; it gives us the ability to live a full, spiritually healthy life now.

Once we come to see his immeasurable worth, we will not give up his commandments for all the gold in the world. Even the psalmist knows it sounds so unlikely that he repeats it. “Yes! Above pure gold!”

We do begin to “hate every false way” as we recognize their falsehood contrasted with the Lord’s truth which we “carefully follow.” When we see how wonderful his testimonies are, it becomes far easier for our souls to comply with them.

And no matter how confusing the world may be, unfolding his words lights our path. It gives understanding even to those who shouldn’t be able to understand.

His way is truly the best way, and the more we know him, the more we will be able to live that out.

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