Children’s Sermon

Psalm 19

Rules for a Good Life

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Psalm 19
Rules for a Good Life

By Lois Parker Edstrom

Today let’s talk about rules. Most of us, when we learn there are rules, think “oh no, now I’m not free to do what I want to do.” Let’s talk about that. Do you have rules in your home? I’ll bet you do. Rules keep us safe and help us understand how to live with other people. Let’s list some everyday rules that are a part of our lives.

• Look before you cross the street.

• Wash your hands before dinner.

• Tell your parents where you’re going before you go out to play.

• Brush your teeth before you go to bed.

• Treat others with kindness.

• Don’t sass your parents.

The Ten Commandments are a set of rules that help us have a good life. The Bible teaches us that God’s rules are “perfect” (19:7) and “true” (19:9). The Bible tells us that God’s rules are better “than much fine gold” and “sweeter… than honey” (19:10).

God’s rules come from love, just as the rules in your home do. Those rules free us to have a good life. Rules teach us how to be a friend, how to take care of ourselves and love others. Rules teach us how to be a better person – the person we were meant to be.

In the Psalms we find a beautiful prayer: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight…” (19:14). This verse reminds us to be thoughtful about the words we use and think about living in a way that respects and honors God.

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible

Copyright 2014, Richard Niell Donovan