Oh, how I love your law! Does that strike you the same way it strikes me? Love your law? Love rules? Let’s take a closer look to understand what the Psalmist is saying.

For most, if not all of us, we don’t love rules, regulations, laws. We all acknowledge that most rules or laws were designed to keep us safe, keep order, to provide consistent expectations for all citizens. We follow the law to wear seatbelts designed to keep us safe in the event of a sudden stop or accident. We understand the need for laws that protect our homes and property. There are also a couple of obscure laws. Did you know that it’s illegal to drive blindfolded in Alabama? Think about that for a second… Don’t go fishing with your bare hands in Indiana-it too, is illegal. And no eating ice cream on Sundays in Oregon.

Why did God provide his precepts, his rules of conduct for his children, to all of us. Simply said—because he loves us. He loves us more than we can imagine. He provides his law to protect us. We’ve heard God’s laws described as a curb, a mirror, a guide. It’s a curb to give us boundaries in which to stay. The Law can keep us focused on our lives as God’s children and keep us on our path of faith. The Law is a mirror. When we look in the mirror, we see ourselves as we truly are. God’s Law shows us who we really are—sinful people. The Law reminds us that God’s expectation of perfection from us is unattainable. It shows us how desperately we need him. The guide reminds us that God’s Law provides direction as to what we should and should not do to lead a God pleasing life.

Our text today talks about loving God’s law and meditating or focusing on it all day long. It describes God’s law as sweeter than honey. What an incredibly positive way to reference God’s laws for us! God wants us to see his Law as something to treasure, something to crave. Imagine our lives without earthly laws and the chaos that would result. Now imagine our lives without God’s direction for us in his Law. He lovingly tells us how much he loves us, how much he wants us to be his children, how much he wants us to continue to grow in faith, and how much we need him. God’s love for us is immeasurable. Because of his love for us, we can treasure his laws and find motivation to strive each day to reflect his love in all we do. Like the parent who teaches their child not to touch a hot stove or walk into a busy street, God’s law is given to us wrapped in his love. He wants us to be safe in him, to lead a life knowing his expectation for us that is covered by his grace. So, wear your seatbelt, watch your speed on the road, and even more importantly, treasure God’s Law for us each day. It is indeed, sweeter than honey.