The Blessedness of Obedience

Photo Credit: Explore with Joshua

February 11, 2026

Dear Praying Friends,

Have you ever looked into the starry sky on a dark night and felt completely overwhelmed by the vastness and beauty of God’s creation? It is both breathtaking and soul-searching!

In some ways, Psalm 119 is like that. It is a beautiful piece of biblical literature, so rich and expansive that it can feel overwhelming. To make it more manageable, the author arranged the psalm into 22 stanzas, each containing eight verses, arranged according to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

The first Hebrew letter is Aleph, and this opening section emphasizes the blessedness of obedience to God (Psalm 119:1–8 NIV):

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—they do no wrong but follow his ways. You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.

The psalmist begins by clarifying for us what obedience really is. Obedience is not begrudgingly adhering to a set of rules and regulations. Absolutely not! 

Obedience is more than simply following orders. It involves the whole person. This is what lies behind the word “blameless.” It means to be whole, complete, sound, healthy, and full of integrity. This is not perfection, but rather a well-balanced life that seeks to be the same on the inside as on the outside. The person who obeys is described here as a blessed—or truly happy—person.

Secondly, we are given a glimpse into the heart of the writer as he shares his desire to be obedient. Deep down in his soul there is a longing after God. He seeks to do the right thing with all his being. His heart is full of devotion. There is no sense of half-heartedness, indifference, or passivity.

The desire of an obedient person is for a stable, steady, and established life. Yet there is also a realization that this cannot be accomplished alone. He prays, “Oh that my ways were steadfast.” He is asking God to lead him and to steer him in the right direction.

Obedience to God always yields great benefit. This is true because God knows what is best for us. The psalmist reminds us that obedience preserves us from disappointment and shame. The commands of the Lord are designed to build us up and encourage us in our walk with Him.

There is also a learning process to obedience, meaning that growth and development take place over time. An obedient heart is not developed in a day. It takes a lifetime of learning to know God. And as we learn more of Him, we will praise Him with truly upright hearts.

Our obedience is not merely for the sake of obedience itself. The ultimate goal is that God will be honored through it. When a life is lived in communion and fellowship with God, He is made great!

In the closing verse, the psalmist expresses with deep resolve his commitment to obedience. He says, “I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.” Not maybe, not possibly, not “if it works out best for me,” but a firm and settled declaration: “I will obey.”

As we pray today for prodigals who need restoration, and for true revival among us, may we do so with a firm determination to follow in the footsteps of our Savior, who fully and gladly obeyed His heavenly Father.

Warmly in Christ’s name,

Bryan and Rachel