The Law and the [writings of the] Prophets were proclaimed until John; since then the gospel of the kingdom of God has been and continues to be preached, and everyone tries forcefully to go into it. Yet it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for a single stroke of a letter of the Law to fail and become void.

–Parallel verses:
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭19‬:‭7‬-‭11‬ (emphasis mine)
The law of the Lord is perfect, REFRESHING the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, MAKING WISE the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, GIVING JOY to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, GIVING LIGHT to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, ENDURING forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

God’s law endures forever. This means I can trust in it! Some trust in their man-made fortresses in their gated communities, but I will trust in God.

There are many benefits for holding high the laws of God: 1) It refreshes our souls. Just this past week I have noticed time and again that when stress or challenges seems endless or insurmountable, time with God studying his laws gives me a refreshed spirit to live life with. 2) Following God’s law makes us wise. It is a powerful force to enlighten our eyes and help us see the right way to think and act in life. 3) Joy floods the hearts of those who follow God’s law. There is so much courage that comes with following God’s truth, it brings with it a satisfying joy. 4) Our eyes, it is said, are the windows to the soul. Darkness, or a sinister countenance, is the result of those who scheme for their own advantage. Light, beams and beams of it, shoot out from the eyes of those who have the righteousness of God and his law built into the plans for their life. 5) And finally the fear of the Lord and his law is an enduring force. It not only lasts forever, but it cannot be put out and it continues to penetrate the hearts of those around it with truth.

So today, let us not forcefully try to enter God’s kingdom, through man-made efforts, but let us obey his laws which are good. And we will become, along with his law, an enduring force for good in this world — a light in the darkness, a shelter in the storm!

Lord, thank you for giving us your laws. I seek after them today. Teach me to understand their meaning and application more today. May I be defined as one who follows them!