In light of the freedom we celebrated earlier in the week, I felt the Lord stirring freedom in my spirit. Freedom is a heavy theme in Psalms 107 - 150.

The Word is so beautifully expressed in Psalm 119 as it brings correction at times (“My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.” Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭71‬), but with that correction comes the freedom that we so desire.

“I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.” Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭45‬ ‭

To be devoted to something means to be zealous or ardent in attachment, loyalty, or affection. To give all or most of one's time or resources to. To be given over to the display, study, or discussion of.

In order to fully and completely walk in the freedom that Christ made available to us, we must be devoted to Him, to His word, to those sweet commandments that He so loving laid out for us. He gave them to us not so that He could control us, but so that we could be free from all bondages and anything that keeps us from being who He designed us to be.

My Bible has a note on verse 45 that I wanted to share. “The writer talks about keeping God‘s laws and yet being free. Contrary to what we often expect, obeying God’s laws does not inhibit or restrain us. Instead, it frees us to be who God designed us to be. By seeking God’s salvation and forgiveness, we have freedom from sin and the resulting oppressive guilt. By living God‘s way, we have freedom to fulfill his plan for our lives.”

That in and of itself will bring joy and happiness. It doesn’t make sense to the carnal mind, but to our spirit! Our spirit loves to live according to God’s way as these laws allow us to flourish. Like a flower planted in the best, nutritious potting soil, we too will grow to our full potential when planted in the good soil of the Word. 

“How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭103‬-‭105‬

Our confidence has to be in God’s Word, not in man. The problem with following a man, preacher, or teaching, is that we all mess up. At times, we get it wrong. But God’s Word, it never fails. If we follow a person or a teaching with more passion than we follow the Bible, it is inevitable that we will get off track at some point.

How difficult it is to turn back when we have been misled. Instead, we desire the pure Word of God more than any other.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭