I shall walk in freedom, for I have sought your precepts. ( Psalms 119:45 45 And I shall walk at liberty; For I have sought thy precepts. , my translation)

An essential element of joy is freedom. None of us would be happy if we were not free from what we hate and free for what we love.

And where do we find true freedom? Psalms 119:45 45 And I shall walk at liberty; For I have sought thy precepts. says, “I shall walk in freedom, for I have sought your precepts.”

The picture is one of open spaces. The word frees us from smallness of mind ( 1 Kings 4:29 29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea-shore. ) and from threatening confinements ( Psalms 18:19 19 He brought me forth also into a large place; He delivered me, because he delighted in me. ).

Jesus says, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” ( John 8:32 32 and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ). The freedom he has in mind is freedom from the slavery of sin ( John 8:34 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin. ). Or, to put it positively, it is freedom for holiness.

The promises of God’s grace provide the power that makes the demands of God’s holiness an experience of freedom rather than fear. Peter described the freeing power of God’s promises like this: “Through [his precious and very great promises] you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire” ( 2 Peter 1:4 4 whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in that world by lust. ).

In other words, when we trust the promises of God, we sever the root of corruption by the power of a superior promise.

How crucial is the word that breaks the power of counterfeit pleasures! And how vigilant we should be to light our paths and load our hearts with the word of God!

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” ( Psalms 119:105 105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path. ). “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” ( Psalms 119:11 11 Thy word have I laid up in my heart, That I might not sin against thee. ; cf. verse 9).