Friday Favorites

My wife is doing this “Friday’s Favorites” thing on he blog, so naturally I need to support her, so….

I have a verse that I use as my tag on my email account at work. It is Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but happy is he who keeps the law."

One of my favorite illustrations is of a study at an elementary school. The playground had no fence around it and the administration found that the children all played right up next to the building. As soon aw they put a fence around the playground, the children used every inch of the playground.

As children, and as humans, we need to know where our boundaries are. If we do not, then we live in fear of the unknown and do not experience all of the good things that are out there.

The same is true as a child of GOD. He has laid out the boundaries for us in His Word and we can rest assured, and be happy, in knowing where the boundaries are.

Many people want to get wrapped up in the Old Testament being “LAW” and that being a bad thing. In actuality, the correct translation of “torah” as derived from the root of “yarah”, meaning "to point out, teach, instruct, or give direction." The law is the teachings of GOD and should not be looked upon as something to do away with. Rather it should be embraced as a blessing, for with it GOD as given us His instructions to live by, and in doing so we have peace and happiness.

GOD thought enough of us to give us instructions, directions, and boundaries to live by, and He did so for a reason. Every “instruction” has a reason and a purpose behind it that makes our lives better.

So, the next time someone starts “bashing the law”, remind them that that is GOD’s “instructions” on how to live, and His “fence” that protects your playground in which you find great pleasure.