Warned and Rewarded

Psalm 19:11

Warnings protect our lives. The buzzing sound of the smoke detector, the screaming of the siren of the fire engine speeding towards us from behind, and the red light indicating that the automobile ahead has its brakes applied, all serve to make us aware of danger. These warnings are given to keep us from possible harm. Unless we are foolish, we are thankful that there are such devices for our protection.

But do you react with thankfulness because God gave us His law? Are you thankful when relatives, or friends, or office bearers warn you when you are breaking one of God's laws, and that in light of the fact that the wages of sin is death?

One who warns you is concerned with your well-being. Even more so, God displays His love when He warns us in His testimonies and statutes. Never lose sight of the fact that the admonitions, or warnings, in His Word have been put there in His love to spare us the punishment that the transgression of His law demands.

Still more, God sets His law before us because in His grace He rewards our works of love toward Him. He gave us His law for our good, not for our harm; in love and not in hatred. And when you thank Him for food and drink, for life and health, be sure to thank Him also for His law, which shows us how to keep from harm, and what works He in His grace rewards.

Say it with David, "By these is Thy servant warned: and in keeping of them is great reward," Psalm 19:11. Sing it with these words:

    They warn from ways of wickedness
    Displeasing to the Lord,
    And in the keeping of His Word
    There is a great reward.

The reward His Son earned for us through His death and perfect obedience. There is a reward for those who keep God's law, because their guilt has been removed by His Son's cross, and He earned blessedness for His people.

Thank God for His law, and for His law-abiding Son.

Read: Matthew 6:19-34 
Psalter versification: 41:4

Song for Meditation: Psalter number 320
Why not sing along??

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Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Exodus 28:1-43 
Matthew 25:31-46 ; Matthew 26:1-13 
Psalm 31:9-18 
Proverbs 8:12-13 
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Quote for Reflection:

"Abram was not renowned, either as a conqueror, a law-giver or an inventor of useful and ingenious arts: he was neither a monarch, a genius, a philosopher, nor so much as an author of any sort, but a plain man, dwelling in tents, and feeding cattle all his days. Yet perhaps no mere man has been so widely and permanently had in honor!" -- Thomas Scott