Psalm 119, Verse 2

“Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their heart.”

A young, single friend of mine came into the break room one day lamenting over another break up of a relationship. I listened for quite awhile. Then she asked openly, “Why can’t I find the right person for me?” Since she asked, I said, “Where are you looking?” To that, she immediately got very quiet. She knew she was looking in all the wrong places. Does that remind you of a song? “Looking for love in all the wrong places…”

Our verse today is detrimental to every aspect of our lives. To obey without the search of God is fruitless. To obey without loving God with all our heart, mind, body and soul, is fruitless and makes us unhappy and frustrated more easily with circumstance. In fact, circumstance takes over our lives and all seems lost. We must seek God first with a passionate heart that will not give up until we see His face or hear the slightest whisper of His Voice. He speaks life to us when we seek Him each morning! I know because He does for me.

We obey the law because we are searching for God to fill our hearts with all that is good, all that is HIM. Happiness and joy sprouts and blooms beautiful fruit in us when we find HIM. His Holy Spirit is now in control after the search and now he will produce the kind of fruit in us such as unconditional love (loving others like he loves us), joy, peace, gentleness, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. “Here there is no conflict with the law.” as Paul writes in Galatians 5:23.

In fact, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” Galatians 5:25, NLT

One last thought…
The NIV version of Psalm 119:1-2 says, “Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.”

Does this sound familiar? Jesus began his sermon on the mount with, “Blessed are those who….”

Yes, this psalm opens with two beatitudes. “Blessed” are those whose ways are blameless, who live according to God’s law, who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart. The author of the psalm seems to be a man who has known great trouble in his life, but also a man who has come through it with a deep and passionate understanding of God’s unfailing love and compassion (Psalm 119:75-77). Throughout his affliction, the author clings to the truths he learns from the Scriptures which are eternal and “stand firm in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89-91). His love for the Word of God and his dedication to remember it and live by it is a theme that is repeated over and over. I get it. I can’t wait to know more, how about you?

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your Word that speaks volumes to us this morning in just a couple of verses! Continue to teach we who are hungry for Your teaching and searching for sound wisdom. We cry out for Your insight and understanding so that our behavior would better reflect Your Word and what we say we believe. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that directs, guides, challenges, convicts and restores us. In Jesus Name, Amen