This episode closes out detailing the positive encounter with God's law that believers should ideally experience. Many unfortunately rarely get beyond the first encounter with God's law, which brings conviction and crisis as they grapple with the demands of God on their lives. While the psalmist clearly wrestled with God's law, ultimately resulting in confession and repentance, the vast majority of his descriptions are very positive. The psalmist describes the law as his delight (v. 77) as he anticipates discovering "wonderful things" in God's law.(18) The psalmist at one point is starving for God's law (v. 20) and considers the Law his food. Christ Himself noted that "His food" was to do the will of the Father. (John 4:34) Such expressions underscore the path to true fulfillment. When we cultivate our longing for God and His law/His will, we discover that this second encounter with God and His Law/will results in incomparable satisfaction.
“Obedience: Tasting and Seeing that the Lord is Good
This episode addresses a common concern among Christians over their lack of spiritual growth or fulfillment. The answer may lie in a holistic picture of salvation, in which obedience and doing God's will is center-stage. Christ's said that "his food was to do the will" of the Father. (John 4:34) Doing God's will is nourishing to spiritual growth and provides true fulfillment, even motivating us for more service to God. The episode paints the sharp contrast between being filled up with the fulness of God in singular devotion to Christ and spiritual lethargy characterized by spiritual insensitivity and preoccupation with the cares of this world. Understanding this dynamic helps us make adjustments that foster spiritual growth and promote higher degrees of the beatific vision.