Offences vs. stumbles

There’s a wonderful passage in Psalms (see 119:165): “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”  At least that’s how the King James Version puts it.  The New King James Version states it just a little differently: “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.”

I love how it shifts the viewpoint.  The first one seems to indicate a state of serenity where, regardless of what’s going on around you, you will remain unflappable.

The second one points to a more active – albeit peaceful – contact with the world, moving through it, obstacle free.

The first one seems to talk about the quality of thought that doesn’t react to the mistakes (offences) being made by others.  The second one is also a quality of thought, but it is directed at preventing our own mistakes (stumbles).

Both attitudes are useful and both are based on the straightforward and simple premise of loving God’s law.  That holy viewpoint brings about the necessary peace that simply lifts us above the stumbling blocks and out of harm’s way.

Either way, it’s good advice.

Melissa Hayden is a Christian Science practitioner in Salem, OR. You can find more information and additional articles at this link.  If you like what you’re reading, click the “add me” button.