I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life.

 Psalm 119:93

Our culture says the “life” for which we all must strive is a successful career, financial security, a well-diversified stock portfolio, and an endless number of the very best, most-impressive possessions. But God says the opposite. It is only His Word that gives life! While the world shouts that we need more and more, bigger and better, God calls us to settle down and get quiet. He wants us to sit awhile so we can soak in the only thing that truly matters: His wisdom that gives life.

Throughout God’s Word, He gives us boundaries that protect our hearts and lead us into a life-giving, heart-growing relationship with Him. But we usually just lift our knees high and step right over those boundaries! We like to think we know better than God, that a loving God would want us to have more of everything we enjoy because that’s what makes us happy. But God doesn’t give us commandments to make us miserable or boundaries to punish; He gives us both to protect. Just as any loving parent protects their young child by keeping dangerous things out of reach, God commands that we stay away from anything that will hurt us and take His place in our hearts (1 John 5:21). His boundaries must be honored for us to live our best life and become who He created us to be. Just as Eve learned in the garden on that day that changed everything, when we believe the lie that what we desire is what we deserve, because we know better than God, the results can be disastrous.

When you allow your heart to wander from Truth, it will step right over God’s protective boundaries and roam into selfishness, pride, lust, greed, rage, and other sin. And all sin damages your heart and the hearts and lives of those you love. Only God’s Word will expand your understanding (Psalm 119:32) and give light (Psalm 119:130). A life of wisdom is the “good life” you are looking for, and that wisdom is found in the pages of your Bible. Open it, read it, and make understanding it your priority! You will be blessed! You are loved! 

Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart.  Psalm 119:34