There is a verse in Psalm 119 that has often brought a smile to my face. My husband and I use it to remind each other not to be easily offended.

Great peace have they which love Thy law, and nothing shall offend them. Psalm 119:165

In context, the word offend means cause to stop following God or cause to turn away from God, and we believe loving God’s law also helps us not to let small things upset us or hurt our feelings..

Why is this true? What relationship exists between loving God’s law, or His Word, and standing fast in commitment to Him?

Loving God’s Law (His Word)

First of all, if I love God’s law, I am going to read it, think about it, and obey it. As I do this, God’s Word changes my mindset and my outlook so that –

1. I am focused on the eternal rather than the temporal. The problems of this world are placed in the perspective of eternity.
2. I am secure in Who God is and my position in Him.
3. God’s precepts – His teaching and His way of responding – are becoming engrained in me through the study of His Word.
4. God’s love is teaching me to focus on others before myself.
5. I have given up my right to have things my way.
6. I am trusting God to make things right.

When I have the attitudes listed above, I can move past the hinderances and roadblocks that can cause my life to wreck spiritually. Loving God’s law creates stability in my faith, and that brings peace.

Great peace – the longing of hearts today. We will not find it in the ways of this world, but it is readily available to those who love God’s Word.

Today, when I am affronted, I will check my love of God’s Word and remember – NOTHING shall offend them.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Ephesians 4:¹⁴ That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Psalm 40:8 ⁸ I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

Photo – Virginia Farm, Beth Mims