Embracing

 Devotion: Embracing the Torah of the Lord

Scripture:
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly… but his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." — Psalm 1:1–2 (KJV)

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Reflection:
For many Christians, the word Torah may sound distant—something for the Jewish people or part of a system of rules we are glad to be free from. But to the early church, and indeed to Jesus Himself, the Torah was not a burden, but a blessing. It was God’s loving instruction—His direction, wisdom, and guidance for His people.

The Hebrew word Torah comes from a root meaning “to teach” or “to guide.” It is the Father leading His children on the path of life. Seen this way, Torah becomes not legalism, but grace-filled instruction for living in communion with God. As believers in Christ, we are not under the law as a means of salvation, but the law is still a lamp unto our feet (Psalm 119:105), revealing the character of our holy God.

Even more stunning is the word picture in the Hebrew letters of Torah—Tav (cross or sign), Vav (nail or hook), Reysh (man or head), and Hey (what comes from)—giving us: “What comes from the man nailed to the cross.” How beautiful is that? The Torah, the instruction of God, finds its fullest expression in Christ—the One nailed to the cross, who fulfilled the law and now writes it on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33).

So, when we delight in the Torah, we are delighting in Christ’s heart, His character, His will for us. His commandments are not grievous (1 John 5:3), but good. They are the voice of our Shepherd leading us to green pastures and still waters.

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Contemplation:

• How have I viewed God's commandments—burdens to bear or blessings to embrace?

• Do I hunger for God’s instruction the way I hunger for His comfort or provision?

• What does it mean for me, personally, that Torah—God’s instruction—flows from the One nailed to the cross?

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Prayer:
Father in Heaven,
*Thank You for giving us Your Torah—Your precious instruction that leads us in the path of life. Thank You that the One nailed to the cross, Jesus Christ, is the living fulfillment of Your Word. Forgive me for the times I have viewed Your commands as heavy rules instead of gracious guidance. Help me to delight in Your instruction, to love Your precepts, and to follow You not out of fear, but out of love. Write Your Word on my heart, and make me eager to walk in Your ways. May I live in such a way that brings glory to the name of the One who died and rose for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Challenge for Today:
Start reading the book of Genesis again—but this time, read it as a child seeking guidance from a loving Father. Ask God to open your eyes to see His instruction as a gift, not a burden. Let the Torah lead you to a deeper love for Christ, the One who fulfilled it on the cross.