God’s Torah

 Devotion: The Enduring Authority of God’s Torah

“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” – Matthew 5:18 (KJV)

I used to skim quickly past Matthew 5:17–18, thinking Jesus had simply come to “complete” the Old Testament and free us from its ancient laws. After all, isn’t that the common view—that the Law was a burden we’re now delivered from? But the more I studied, the more I began to see that Jesus' words weren’t setting the Law aside; they were upholding it with divine authority and depth.

He wasn't abolishing the Torah—He was clarifying and fulfilling its purpose. He even says that not the smallest letter ("jot" or yud in Hebrew) or the tiniest stroke ("tittle") will disappear until everything has happened. That got my attention.

Has everything happened? Certainly not. The return of Jesus, the final judgment, the complete restoration of all things—these events are still future. That means God's Law, His Torah, still has relevance today. Not for salvation—that comes only through the blood of Jesus—but for sanctification, the shaping of our lives to reflect God's heart and holiness.

For too long, I thought of books like Leviticus as outdated, only useful for ancient Israel. But when I began to see them as God’s instructions—His revealed heart for justice, holiness, mercy, and community life—I found a new appreciation for the Law. Jesus didn’t set it aside; He lived it out perfectly and invites us to walk in obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit.

This doesn’t mean we’re called to legalism. It means we don’t dismiss the Torah as irrelevant. We study it, we seek its wisdom, and we ask God to show us how to apply its principles with understanding and grace. Love isn’t vague; love is shaped by God’s instruction.

Contemplation:

• Do I believe that the Torah still teaches me about God’s character and desires?

• Have I dismissed parts of Scripture without understanding their purpose?

• Am I willing to reexamine the Law not as a burden but as a guide to pleasing the One who saved me?

Prayer:

Father, thank You for giving us Your Word—not just as a record of the past but as living instruction for today. Help me to value every part of it, even the parts I’ve ignored or misunderstood. Teach me to walk in Your ways—not to earn Your love, but because I have already received it. Lord Jesus, thank You for fulfilling the Torah and showing me its true meaning. Holy Spirit, give me discernment to apply Your Word with humility and joy. I want to please You in how I live. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.