The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
—Psalms 19:7-14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
—John 1:1-5

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The Word and the Law
By Jennifer Kane

In the beginning, You were the Word,
Eternal, unchanging,
Dwelling before creation’s light,
Before time and space drew breath.

The law of the Lord is perfect,
Reviving the soul.
Your Word, living and active,
Breathes life into the dead.

Statutes sure and steadfast,
Making wise the simple.
Your commandments, radiant,
Illuminate the heart’s dark corners.

Precepts that bring joy,
Pure and enduring forever.
Your Word, everlasting,
Speaks hope into the silence.

More desirable than gold,
Sweeter than honey from the comb,
Your Word, a treasure,
Filling the soul with delight.

By them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them, there is great reward.
Your Word, an ever-prepared shield,
Guards the wayward heart.

Who can discern their own errors?
Cleanse me from hidden faults.
Your Word, purifying,
Washes me whiter than snow.

Keep Your servant from presumptuous sins;
Let them not rule over me.
Your Word, freeing,
Breaks chains of guilt and shame.

Let the words of my mouth
And the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my rock and redeemer.

For You, the Word made flesh,
Have spoken,
And the heavens declare
Your glory.

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Scriptures: Psalm 19:7-14, John 1:1-5

Psalm 19:7-14 beautifully illuminates the perfection and sufficiency of God’s law. It declares, “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” These verses reveal that God’s law is not merely a set of rules, but a guide that revives, instructs, and brings joy. It reflects God’s holy character and provides a path to righteous living.

Yet, as we reflect on the law’s perfection, we recognize our own imperfection. The psalmist himself acknowledges this when he prays, “Who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.” (Psalm 19:12). The law, in its perfection, reveals our shortcomings and our need for a Savior.

This is where the connection with John 1:1-5 becomes profound. John opens his gospel with, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Here, we see that Jesus, the living Word, is the very embodiment of God’s truth and grace. He is the light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.

While the law shows us our need for redemption, Jesus provides the solution. He is the living Word who fulfilled the law’s requirements and extends grace to those who fall short. His life, death, and resurrection offer us a way to be made right with God—not through our own efforts to perfectly keep the law, but through faith in Him.

Jesus, as the living Word, empowers us to live out the law not out of obligation, but out of love and gratitude. He helps us to see the law not as a burden, but as a reflection of God’s character and a guide to abundant life. When we fail, His grace is sufficient. He invites us to embrace Him as Lord and Savior, acknowledging that it is His righteousness, not our own, that brings us into right relationship with God.

How does recognizing Jesus as the living Word change your perspective on God’s law?

In what ways can you rely on Jesus when you feel you’ve fallen short of God’s standards?

Spend time meditating on both Psalm 19 and John 1 this today. Reflect on the beauty of God’s law and the grace found in Jesus, the living Word. Ask God to help you live in a way that honors His law, while fully embracing the grace and truth found in Christ.

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Heavenly Father, thank You for the perfection of Your law, which reflects Your holiness and guides me in righteousness. Your statutes are trustworthy, reviving my soul and bringing joy to my heart. Yet, I acknowledge my shortcomings and my inability to perfectly keep Your commands.

Lord, I am grateful for the gift of Your Son, Jesus, the living Word. In Him, I find the grace and truth that I so desperately need. Thank You for the light He brings into my darkness and for the salvation He offers when I fall short.

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

January 19 2025