Psalms 103 : 18 December 10, 2009
To those who keep his covenant.
And who remember his precepts to do them. (NASB)
As they follow his covenant ways
And remember to do whatever he said. (Message)
At first glance this verse is upsetting. If separated from the rest of this chapter, the Book of Psalms as a whole, or the entire Old testament, a legalist definition of faith in God would seem unavoidable. Indeed, much of historical Judaism has at times focused on this simplistic rule keeping definition of faith. Certain strains of Christianity have also inadvertently reduced faith to a list of do’s and don’ts. The true believer is one who keeps the rules. This is a perversion of biblical faith.
What boggles our understanding is the assumption that this rule keeping would somehow please the God of the universe. Are we as His creation to so belittle our God? Let’s hope that he is more than a celestial schoolmarm. Webster uses qualities like old-fashioned, prudish and pedantic to describe the character of this type of woman schoolteacher. These are human characteristics not divine character. We don’t assimilate god like character, holiness, by keeping the rules.
A slave owner, arm twisting God is not the biblical picture. Throughout time we were and are given choices by God. When we stumble upon the right one, faith, divine change happens and happens and happens. This change is visible. Cultures, people, things and the calendar are all pliable and subject to the bending forces of the God of the universe. Look around, if you have any doubt, reread the history books. Most large scale change seems to happen in a moment in time and divine love becomes visible.
One day, an obscure fragile plain nun, serving in an Indian convent, ventures into the streets. One day, an obscure teacher and healer in an obscure land sets out for Jerusalem. One day, an obscure German monk nails a document of protest against his church to the church door. One day, an obscure, would be lay missionary, sets out to bring God to China. One day, a murderous enemy of the believers in Jesus expands “the way” to the Gentile world. One day, an English preacher climbs on his horse and took the message of God’s love out the church doors to the people. These few examples are only cases on point. Even the adversarial change events, like the cross of Jesus Christ, will not inhibit the divine forces.
When the Psalmist speaks of visible change, like remembering precepts and keeping the covenant relationship alive, it is not slavish but intuitive to the faith relationship itself. The chemist notes that a chemical reaction can have a by product. So it is with all believers, the change by product is a desire to please the divine reality experienced. A giving relationship is established that is mutually shared but God does most of the giving. The give and take of that relationship pleases God, not specific rule keeping.
This understanding is not rocket science in the church world, it is in general agreement. However, we often forget and reduce the visible signs of God’s leadership to a specialized list. Our leaders avoid the call to unity and liberty. We preach cultural and societal norms that coddle the laity. One of Elvis Presley’s early hits was, “Don’t Step on My Blue Suede Shoes”. We are prone to start singing when the brother’s have different rules, differing worship, theological quirks, or varying ethical life priorities. Again, these are human preferences not necessarily divine.
Issues of a supposed a standard of purity are not fundamental to the faith. There is only one by product of our relationship with God that is fundamental. Irrational, expressive, visible, self abandoning love, gifted to the believer from our interaction with the divine. It cannot be standardized. Only this love reality fundamentally defines us as Christian. When the church busies itself with internal conflicts and inspecting the brethren, we betray the God who has created us to be visible reflections of His love.
G.Goslaw
