Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You…
I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.

  - Psalm 119.11, 14

For the execution of divine commands, before it becomes habitual, may shatter the pure brilliance of virtue and fall short in its judgments, clouded by the fog of sense-bound thinking. The keenness of profoundest contemplation, on the other hand, once it has perceived the countenance of the truth, neither hesitates, nor slips, nor is ever darkened by any cloud.

  - Eriugena, Homily on John 1.1-14, Irish, 9th century[1]

Let’s take a close look at Eriugena’s thinking.

First, he suggests that “the execution of divine commands” – keeping the Law of God in good works of love – can become “habitual.” Obedience can be so much a part of who we are that it just flows from us, as the Spirit takes the Word and transforms us increasingly into the image of Jesus Christ (Ezek. 36.26, 27; Jn. 7.37-39).

However, this doesn’t happen automatically. Too often we allow the “fog of sense-bound thinking” – our own best ideas about this, that, or the other – to cloud our decisions so that we neglect the Word, fail in obedience, and “fall short” of what God commands.

The way to improve “habitual” obedience is through “profoundest contemplation” in which we search the Scriptures, seeking the face of God and longing to enter into His glory. As we read, meditate, pray, and wait on the Lord, we will ultimately come to perceive “the countenance of truth,” and when we do, we will with joy and enthusiasm obey whatever God requires.

Thus we go from meeting with God in His glory to living for the glory of God in every area of life. Glory to glory: This is the way to inward transformation, obedience, good works of love, and rejoicing in the truth (2 Cor. 3.12-18).

When we’re first trying to obey the Word of God, before the Word is really lodged in our hearts, we’re going to make some mistakes, miss some opportunities, act in selfish rather than self-denying ways, and otherwise fall short of the glory of God.

That’s OK, as long as we don’t get comfortable there. We must always be ready to confess our sins, repent, and return to the Lord (1 Jn. 1.8-10; Ps. 119.59, 60). The goal must be to store up the Word of God within us, so that it penetrates deeply and becomes part of us, cauterizing and renewing the soul, and redirecting the outer life.

As that is being accomplished, what flows out in our lives will neither hesitate in obedience, slip on temptation, nor have any shade of darkness. It will be just right obedience, issuing from a heart that is just right with God.

The key is meditation, as Eriugena and the psalmist agree, and meditation takes time. We must seek the face of Jesus, and the glory that is revealed there (2 Cor. 4.6), spending long moments in silence, waiting on the Spirit of God to unfold the meaning of His Word and shape us into the Savior’s image.

The more we invest in meditation and fixing our eyes on Jesus, the more “the execution of divine commands...becomes habitual”, that is, becomes the reality of who we are.

This is the way to realize more of the presence, promise, and power of the Kingdom of God.

Psalm 27.4-6 (Joanna: “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”)
One thing we request but to dwell with You, Lord,
Your beauty to test and to think on Your Word.
In trouble You hide us secure in Your grace;
No foe may o’erride us: We sing of Your praise.

Help me to take seriously Your call to meditate on Your Law, O Lord!

Spiritual Disciplines
In case you missed our recent series on Spiritual Disciplines, I encourage you to download a free copy and work through this study. Here at the beginning of the New Year is a good time to make sure you’re being diligent to nurture and care for your soul, using all the disciplines God has provided. Simply click here to download Spiritual Disciplines.

We rejoice in the Lord’s provision for our needs as a ministry. Thanks again to all of you who have sought the Lord and heard Him directing you to share with us financially. God supplies all our needs, just as He does yours, and we are grateful to Him for moving many of you to share with us.

Please seek the Lord in this matter. Wait on the Lord in prayer, listening for Him to guide you. Our prayer is that He will use many more of you to share with us in our work of helping you to realize more of the presence, promise and power of the Kingdom. It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452.

T. M. Moore, Principal
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All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.