Psalm 19:8, 10,12-13, 14  The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;

 7  The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;  9  the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.  11  Moreover by them is thy servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.  12  But who can discern his errors? Clear me from hidden faults.  13  Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. The Holy Bible : Revised Standard Version Second Catholic edition (2006), with the ecclesiastical approval of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Thomas Nelson Publishing for Ignatius Press.

 7  The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

 9  the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.

 11  Moreover by them is thy servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

 12  But who can discern his errors? Clear me from hidden faults.

 13  Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.

The Holy Bible : Revised Standard Version Second Catholic edition (2006), with the ecclesiastical approval of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Thomas Nelson Publishing for Ignatius Press.

God gave us 10 laws to follow and we call them the Ten Commandments. Many view laws in a negative way. Often times people think of laws as prevent us from having fun. This view demonstrates our selfishness. Laws, on the other hand, are quite freeing. In this psalm we see that laws, specifically God’s laws, instruct us in righteous ways. God’s laws warn us of potential problems that lay on the horizon of life. His laws allow us to see ahead and to see the potential problems caused by our sin. God’s laws are guidelines that light our path in this life. In psalm 119 we read, “  104  Through your precepts [laws] I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.  105  Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

God gave us 10 laws to follow and we call them the Ten Commandments.

Many view laws in a negative way. Often times people think of laws as prevent us from having fun.

This view demonstrates our selfishness.

Laws, on the other hand, are quite freeing.

In this psalm we see that laws, specifically God’s laws, instruct us in righteous ways.

God’s laws warn us of potential problems that lay on the horizon of life.

His laws allow us to see ahead and to see the potential problems caused by our sin.

God’s laws are guidelines that light our path in this life.

In psalm 119 we read, “  104  Through your precepts [laws] I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

 105  Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Following God’s laws brings joy to our hearts and make us appear wise to those around us because we don’t seem to have as many troubles in our lives as they do in theirs. Those around us fail to recognize that by following God’s laws we avoid many conflicts. The fourth commandment tells us to Honor our Father and Mother. As we see from paragraph 2199 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church the commandment extends to all those who have authority over us. Today, I drove through a residential area at the 25 MPH speed limit. It would have been easy for me to ignore the city’s speed laws and drive at a much faster pace but that would have been selfish because I would have placed my wants and needs above the city who has authority over me.

Following God’s laws brings joy to our hearts and make us appear wise to those around us because we don’t seem to have as many troubles in our lives as they do in theirs.

Those around us fail to recognize that by following God’s laws we avoid many conflicts.

The fourth commandment tells us to Honor our Father and Mother.

As we see from paragraph

2199 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church the commandment extends to all those who have authority over us.

Today, I drove through a residential area at the 25 MPH speed limit.

It would have been easy for me to ignore the city’s speed laws and drive at a much faster pace but that would have been selfish because I would have placed my wants and needs above the city who has authority over me.

Such behavior could have resulted of taking the life of a child who ran into the street in front of me. Such behavior could have resulted in me going over the double lines and hitting an on coming car. Such behavior could have resulted in a traffic ticket.

Such behavior could have resulted of taking the life of a child who ran into the street in front of me.

Such behavior could have resulted in me going over the double lines and hitting an on coming car.

Such behavior could have resulted in a traffic ticket.

By following God’s fourth commandment and honoring those with authority over me I avoided the potential conflict of killing an innocent individual, causing a wreck or earning a speeding ticket. To some I would have appeared foolish and over cautious to others I would have appeared wise in following the law. The first group would complain the cops were “picking on them” by giving them a ticket because their was nothing on the road to inhibit the use of speed. The second group of observers would recognize that my obedience to the law resulted avoiding many potential conflicts. Examine the conflicts in your life, and I’ll bet you can find the commandment you violated.

By following God’s fourth commandment and honoring those with authority over me I avoided the potential conflict of killing an innocent individual, causing a wreck or earning a speeding ticket.

To some I would have appeared foolish and over cautious to others I would have appeared wise in following the law.

The first group would complain the cops were “picking on them” by giving them a ticket because their was nothing on the road to inhibit the use of speed.

The second group of observers would recognize that my obedience to the law resulted avoiding many potential conflicts.

Examine the conflicts in your life, and I’ll bet you can find the commandment you violated.

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