Freedom Fences

Psalm 119:45 reads, "And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts."  


Before reading very far at all, I was struck this morning with this verse - as being just opposite of man's way of thinking.  It's another good example of how God's thoughts are not our thoughts; His ways are not our ways.  (Isaiah 55:8,9)  


I took a peek into Blue Letter Bible online.  Strong's tells me that "walk" means "manner of life," how I live my life, day by day.  The process of walking entails putting one foot in front of another, covering relatively small distances - repeatedly, making progress by multiple short advances.  An enormous distance can be traveled in that manner - and a life is lived in that same way.  Makes me think of how the mouse eats the elephant ... one bite at a time.  Applied to my manner or life, it seems to mean all of those many decisions that orchestrate how the minutes/hours of my day are spent - what I do and how I do it.  Put all of that together with "precept," a commandment, an order, a principle.  One entry at Merriam-Webster reads, "a rule that says how people should behave."  Those concepts are placed together in this verse with "liberty," another word that needs accurate defining.


I don't usually think of precepts (commandments and orders, rules telling me how to behave), being given to me every step of the way (as I walk), as being something that would bring me "liberty."  In fact, that would seem to bring just the opposite - restriction, hindrance - resulting in a whole lot of frustration!   Strong's says the Hebrew word, translated in this verse as "liberty," has the meaning of "broad, wide."  And yet our normal thinking, in this context, would lean more toward narrow and cramped. 


And yet this verse says that I will find myself walking - living - in a broad, wide place (implying the concept of wide open space, with freedom to move and breath without constraint) as a result of seeking God's commandments and orders, His rules!  What a revolutionary thought ... a transforming thought.  Certainly, that thought is not one that conforms to the world's way of thinking.  So if I want more freedom in my life, more space to live, move, act ... then I should apply my heart and my energies to seeking more and more of God's commandments and orders - His precepts.  Humanly speaking, that seems very odd and strange - if not downright wrong - does it not?


When I feel like I'm stuck in a tight spot or backed into a corner - constricted, tied down, immobilized by fear, sorrow, bitterness, anger, or an utter lack of knowledge/wisdom to know what to do - forced into circumstances not of my own choosing - that is the very time I need to diligently seek God's commands.  Contrary to what Satan, the enemy, would have me believe, God's orders for me will not result in further restriction or increased frustration in hitting my head up against immovable walls.  Rather, God's orders for me, His ways - when followed and obeyed - result in freedom, in bonds being shed, chains being broken, shackles falling off, walls crumbling before me, and liberty surrounding me like a cool, refreshing breeze off the exhilarating mountain tops of God's Word.  Truly, the truth will set us free - with wide, open spaces to move and live in safety.


It makes me think of the young child - full of excitement, determination, energy, and curiosity - but not having adequate wisdom to make good decisions, judgment calls.  When placed inside a protective fence, they are absolutely free to play, explore, and enjoy themselves, without risk of harm.  That's what God's orders provide for His children - absolute freedom to live life fully, abundantly, without risk - experiencing His protection every step of the way.


The wide, open spaces of God's good, and acceptable, and perfect will for me - that's where I want to be, and where following His precepts will take me.  And so help us, Lord, to seek them!  They bring to our life benefit and blessing, protection and freedom - in wide, open spaces - where I'm not constantly hitting my head on that proverbial wall!


May the Lord add His blessing to the study of His Word, is my prayer.