Hans Sangtoki Bible Reading: Psalm 119:1-8
“Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart” (Psalm 119:1-2)
The purpose of knowing God is to obey Him. And the purpose of obeying God is to enjoy Him. Many times these things don’t align in our minds.
Learning about God seems like a bore. Theology seems outdated and impractical. We say to ourselves, “we need motivational sermons, revival meetings, we don’t need theology”. But, Psalm 119 is all about God’s Word. The Psalmist longs to know God through His Word. Take a look at v. 25-27, “My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes! Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works.” God is our Creator. He placed us here in this world. If we are to know anything about why we are here or how the world works, we must get to know God. Do you have a longing to know God in your heart?
Studying about God through the Scriptures is not only for theoretical knowledge. We do not get to know God to be self-conceited and think ourselves superior to other Christians who don’t know as much as we do. The purpose of knowing about God is to obey Him. We need to get to know our Creator to live according to the purpose He has planned for us. That means we are called to trust and obey God. More so for the fact that we have been saved from the wages of sin through the blood of Christ. We ought to know the God who would save us from our own rebellion against Him, and we ought to repent and give our whole lives in obedience to Him.
Obeying God is not an obligation driven by fear. Obedience should be liberating. It is synonymous with happiness. We were created to know God, to obey Him and to enjoy living with Him. All the worldly things we think will satisfy us are but Satan’s sugar-coated lies. Do we think a hard party life will fulfil us? Or maybe success and wealth? Or endless games and entertainment? Even starting a family will not satisfy us. The Psalmist emphatically proclaims, “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD!” Those who are blessed (in other words, happy) are those who obey God’s law and walk in it. To walk in holiness is what our soul desires. You won’t know until You try it. But, once You do, I can guarantee no other joy will fulfil You more than this.
Lord, have mercy on us and enable us to know You, obey You, and enjoy You. Who can come to know You in this sinful world if it is not Your Spirit who enlightens our hearts? Remember Your children whom You have loved from eternity, who have been redeemed in Your blood. Give us more of You. Show us who You are and bring us to humbly obey and enjoy You all the more. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Hans Sangtoki (18) is the coordinator of RE Generation Z. He has a passion for serving his generation and sharing hope in Christ. He also has an interest in classical music and dreams of conducting an orchestra one day.