I Heart Speed Limits?

I read Psalm 119 today, the longest chapter in the Bible at 176 verses. It's all about one thing: loving God's law. I remember reading this in high school and thinking, "What? Loving the law? That makes no sense!" After all, who would say they love the laws we must follow. Of course, we love when those laws protect us or give us a complaint against someone else. But who can say they love speed limits when the officer asks for your license and registration? We like laws when they make us feel good, when they force everyone but us to change.

I don't know if I love anything as much as this psalmist loves God's law:

"I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches." - v. 14

"Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors." - v. 24

I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free." - v. 32

"Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge." - v. 54

"I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands." - v. 131

"Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed." - v. 136

"Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws." - v. 164

This is why the length of Psalm 119 flabbergasts me...how can anyone talk so long about law? Only if they desperately love it. But what we see in Psalm 119 is that the only reason the psalmist loves God's law so much is that he loves the God who wrote it. As I read this, I pray that God will place in me a love for Himself so deep that I will long for every word that comes from His mouth, and not only the parts that make me comfortable. I want to love the boring genealogies, the lengthy descriptions of the building materials for the Temple, the harsh words Jesus had for the Pharisees, the gory slaughters of the Israelites, Midianites, or whatever "ites" get killed in battle. I want my heart to long for every letter of every word on every page of God's Word, because in it I will find Him.

"I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands." - v. 131

Give me a hunger and thirst for You, Lord, and the beauty of Your Word.