10.04.07
“KISS!”
Psalm 119:129-133
“Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, longing for Your commands. Turn to me and have mercy on me, as You always do to those who love Your name. Direct my footsteps according to Your Word; let no sin rule over me.”
I cannot recall the exact incident when it happened, but it was back when I was serving as Deputy Director of the Idaho Law Enforcement Planning Commission. Someone gave me some sound advise, even if I was somewhat offended when I was given this word of instruction: KISS! “Keep It Simple Stupid!”
That word of counsel has remained with me over the years. In my short career as a criminal justice planner I had to present new material to seasoned law enforcement professionals. I felt that the Sheriffs, Police Chiefs, Wardens, Probation/Parole Officers and Court personnel were sitting like birds of prey waiting to strike. I had seen them do that to a former police professional from a major city police department.
It was always my experience that the more I worked on simplifying my presentation, the greater the acceptance. KISS! It seems that this is especially true spiritually. I have no idea why people feel that they have to make things involved and complicated when it comes to explaining the simple truth of God’s Word.
Jesus is my greatest inspiration in keeping things simple. In His earthly ministry He by-passed any attempt to impress the religious leaders with His interpretation of God’s Word (except when He was twelve). In His adult ministry He used stories and illustrations freely in order to allow even the most simple to understand.
As I read this passage from Psalm 119, I am impressed by David’s feeling toward the Word of God. He loved it and had a hunger and thirst for it. Consider these two phrases from today’s Scripture: “Your statutes are wonderful;” and: “I open my mouth and pant, longing for Your commands.” and finally: “Direct my footsteps according to Your Word.”
As I read this passage I was reminded of that beautiful message Jesus gave on the mountain side, as recorded in Matthew 5 through 7. We have come to know Matthew 5:3-12 as the Beatitudes. Verse 5 contains the fourth beatitude and coincides with what David wrote; “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Jesus pronounces a blessing and a promise for those of us who desire to know His righteous words. I believe that Jesus promises us that if we ask for a love and understanding of His precious Word and the ability to live by it, He will send His Holy Spirit and grant our request.
Are you seeking to find answers to your heartaches and trials? Jesus invites you to draw near to Him and in childlike simplicity pour your heart out to Him. You might start with that little song which many of us learned as children: “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. We are weak but He is strong.” To me that is as simple, yet as profound as it gets!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
- - - Pastor Cecil