“To such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.” (Psalm 103:18 NKJV)
“You are faithful to all those who follow your ways and keep your word.” (Psalm 103:18 TPT)
“Of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments.” (Psalm 103:18 NLT)
“To those who honor and keep His covenant, and remember to do His commandments [imprinting His word on their hearts].” (Psalm 103:18 AMP)
“Of those who keep his covenant, who remember to observe his precepts.” (Psalm 103:18 HCSB)
“To those who keep his covenant and remember his commandments and do them.” (Psalm 103:18 ABIPE)
I have learned over the years that what I possess on the inside, and experience on the outside, don’t always line up. While there are times that this misalignment is the result of things beyond my immediate control, more often than not it is due to things I have said and done. In Psalm 103:18 David is reminding me that even though Daddy has lavishly poured His love, mercy, grace, and righteousness upon me, my lifestyle choices impact how much of these I will experience in my daily life.
It is critical that I understand that I am not working to somehow achieve, or receive, my Daddy’s blessings. The benefits of the Kingdom are mine simply because of whose son I am. As a member of the royal family, everything that the Kingdom of Heaven has to offer belongs to me regardless of my behavioural ups and downs. However, it is equally critical that I understand that there is an enemy constantly looking for ways to steal everything that I have. When I live outside of the ways of my Father, in unbelief and disobedience, I am opening the door to the thief. Expecting no negative impact when I turn my back on my Daddy’s covenant, and willfully disobey His precepts, is like stepping out from under my umbrella in a rain storm expecting not to get wet.
The emphasis in verse 18 is on my Daddy’s faithfulness, not on my obedience. He is a Good Daddy who will always give me the benefit of the doubt. My choices matter, however I do not need to live under the burden of a performance based relationship. That is why it is so important that even when I read verses that remind me of the need for appropriate behavior on my part, I remind myself that I am choosing how I live based on who I already am, and what I already possess. I live from my identity, not to somehow create it.
There is so much more to ponder with…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 245 Kingdom Living (Psalm 103) Part 19 – Verse 18