Daily Scripture:

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;

the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple   (Psalm 19.7,8)

Daily Reflection:

Some people seem to assume that the Ten Commandments are a set of repressive ‘Thou shalt nots’ laid upon us by a schoolmaster God.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Here the meaning of ‘law’ is closer to ‘instruction’. It is the Manufacturer’s Handbook, which shows us how to live ethically, at peace with one another and with God. We don’t have to work it all out for ourselves, any more than we make up our own traffic rules each time we go out in the car. God’s instructions work.

The psalmist goes on to say that in keeping God’s law ‘there is great reward’ - not that God rewards us for obeying him, but that doing so really does lead to a life of freedom and harmony.

Revd Rosemary