Sufficient — no matter the problem . . .

Today’s devotional focuses on the first half of one verse: “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul” (Psalm 19:7). MacArthur’s comments remind me of an old saying: “He who controls the definitions controls the argument.” This begs the question, what is the soul? 

Chinese Christian martyr Watchman Nee defined it as the intellect, emotions and will or volitional ability of human beings. Without Christ, our souls are dead to God yet still rule all of what we do. This is about self-rule and self-rule is God’s definition of sin:

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

This is why the soul needs reviving or restoring. Sin keeps us from living as God intended, but the Word of God exposes that problem and corrects it. However, the soul resists. My thinking, emotions, and desires fear change at the very least, and digging in my heels can even go so far as to pretend to be ‘religious’ but still run my own life.

As MacArthur says, people doubt the power of Scripture in dealing with the deeper aspects of the human heart and mind. They say it might help “spiritual” problems but is inadequate for complex psychological issues. However, the best psychology can do is to modify external behavior. It cannot transform the root of it: errors in thinking, emotional reactions related to those thoughts, and the choices people make. Most are determined to have their own way, to look out for ourselves. Only the Word of God can change us at that deep level.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead . . .. since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God . . . . (1 Peter 1:3; 23)

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)

This is why the psalmist can call the law of the Lord “perfect” for there is nothing in it which would lead us into error or sin. It teaches me how to think:

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

 . . . and it gives me welcome emotions including peace and joy, as well as the ability to choose love for God and others rather than to serve myself. This restoration of soul changes everything. It solves the problems that are created when God is ignored and I’m left to my own self-centered devices.

PRAY: Lord God, keep me focused on Your counsel regarding every situation I face today. I’m not feeling well so tempted to throw a pity-party and forget my attention to You and others. Make my choices pleasing to You.

PONDER: Read 2 Corinthians 9:8 and consider what all grace and all sufficiency and all things and at all times means and includes — as well as the results of having such amazing grace poured out on me!