Pure, Enlightening the Eyes

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
Psalm 19:7-10

This is such a beautiful passage and it came to my mind today as I was reading 1 Peter. As I began reading 2:13 and on, I felt myself begin to squirm.

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution...

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

These don't seem like very exciting verses to me and they certainly don't seem like verses I would meditate on. I began to search out why I was squirming as I read this and I thought to myself, Patrick, maybe you have problems submitting to authority. I thought this was probably true. The rest of the day I thought about this and what I noticed is that I don't mind submitting to those placed over me that I respect but when I don't respect the person and view myself as superior to them in some way, I quickly get an attitude with them. Sometimes I actually do make some sarcastic or dry comment to them or sometimes I just smile and pretend. Either way though, there is an ugly feeling that rises within my heart. As I noticed this, I thought about Psalm 19 and its descriptions of the Lord's commandments.

Perfect, reviving the soul. Sure, making wise the simple. Right, rejoicing the heart. Pure, enlightening the heart. Clean, enduring forever. True, and righteous altogether. Sweeter than honey.

These are not descriptions what I felt in the midst of my prideful attitude in resistance to authority. I realized that I was picking and choosing which commandments of the Lord that I thought were perfect, pure, and right. I was placing the Word under my own judgment instead of placing myself under its' judgment. As I reread the passage from 1 Peter again, this time as a loving commandment from the Lord meant to bring me joy, I realized that I could now submit to any authority joyfully for the Lord's sake. The passage goes on to consider Christ who came as the Savior and Servant King. The King of Kings submitted to earthly authority and was crucified on a cross for us. This is the beautiful Savior that I have given my life to follow and oh, what a joy to follow his example.

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1 Peter 2:21-25