Psalm 119: Focus On God's Word Pt. 89 The Way Of Truth, A Good, Plain Path from God!

Psalm 119:25-29  DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. 26)  I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. 27)  Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. 28)  My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. 29)  Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.

We noted that the law of God grates against the flesh of a sinner because the carnal mind remains at war with God (Romans 8:7). 

This same law is something that is accepted and longed for, by a regenerated heart touched by God's grace. 

Sinners hate the light of scripture, but believers are drawn to it. 

John 3:20-21  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21)  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. 

Sinners do not want anything to do with the law of God. The law exposes their sins and brings guilt and condemnation upon them. 

Yet, for the child of God, the law is a light for our way and a lamp for our path. We see it as good and gracious because our Father is showing us how to live a God pleasing life. His law helps us avoid the disastrous consequences of sin. 

Choose the way of truth.

Psalm 119:30  I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.

Now, the Psalmist declares his past actions that have prepared him for walking in the ways of God. 

We should take note, that even if our past actions have fallen short of loving and serving God with all our heart, we can begin this day, to follow the pattern of the Psalmist. 

In this text, we see the decision made by the Psalmist to choose the way of truth. Then we see the evidence of his decision that validates his sincerity before God.

Because God graciously granted him the holy law, he rejected all false religion and remained steadfast in his commitment to the truth of God.  

He chose the "way" of truth. The word "way" refers to the pattern of our moral choices. 

Each moral decision we make leaves a path behind us for others to see. We are either walking toward the things of God or we are going after the things of the world. 

Seek the plain path of Jehovah.

Psalm 27:11  Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 

King David prayed for Jehovah to teach him "thy way" because enemies sought to turn him from God. He wanted the LORD to lead him in a plain path, so that the king could make no mistake about what God wanted him to do and how he should live. 

The word "teach" has strong action in it, like casting a stone or shooting an arrow. 

The idea is that God will point His ways out to us and teach them to us, so that we can walk in a plain path. The plain path is easy to see and easy to follow and it is learning the ways of God that puts us on the plain path.

Seek the good ways of God. 

1 Kings 8:36  Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.

This verse is part of King Solomon's prayer to dedicate the grand temple he built for Jehovah. He specifically asked God to teach all the nation "the good way wherein they should walk" This is the way of truth that the Psalmist is showing to us. 

The word "good" means excellent, right and morally pure. As we learn to walk in the good way of God, He will bless us and make us more like His Son, Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 9:6  Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. 

King Solomon gave us the Proverbs as the Spirit of God guided him. In this chapter, wisdom of God is personified and this text is her voice calling out to us. 

Solomon gave us the Old Testament equivalent of a New Testament "put off" that is followed by a "put on." 

The "put off" is to forsake the foolish and it means avoiding foolish speculation of means imaginations. It means shunning anything that is against the character of God. 

The "put on" is to walk in the way of understanding. This is the same way of truth that the Psalmist is telling us about. God does not give us light from His truth in order that we can stay the same. His wisdom is to guide us through this life so that we might live a holy life. 

The way of truth leads to the way of holiness. 

Isaiah 35:5-8  Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6)  Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. 7)  And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. 8)  And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. 

Isaiah the prophet spoke about the ministry of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He looked forward to the actual implementation of the Kingdom of God in all its glory.

Physical illnesses will be healed. The desert will have streams and fountains that will cause flowers and plants to bloom. 

God will open a plain, level highway of righteousness. It will be called the "way of holiness" and this is the very way of truth we are learning about from the Psalmist. 

The way that God comes to us is through His mercy and truth and the way that we come to God, is on the path of true faith prescribed by Him. Thus, Jesus Christ is the Only way of salvation, the Only way to heaven and the Only way to the Father.  

Jesus taught the way of God in truth to all people. 

Matthew 22:15-16  Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 16) And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.

Even when the deceitful religious leaders sought to entrap Jesus with His words, they had to confess that He taught the way of God in truth. He did not distort or twist the way of God to suit men's wrong thinking. 

Jesus taught the true way of God and this must have caused the religious leaders great agitation in their heart. 

Also notice the perfect justice with which Jesus taught the way of God in truth. He applied this truth to all people equally. This is a blessing because it reminds us that God intended to save non-Jewish people of the world as well as saving the Israelites. 

Aquila and Priscilla, the Christian couple we meet in the book of Acts, took a young disciple named Apollos under their wings, to mentor him. 

They did what Jesus did. They accurately and patiently expounded the way of God to Apollos, so that he had a far better grasp of all that God was doing with the gospel. 

Teaching the way of God in truth is a very important principle for Christians to follow. God's word is settled forever and it will not change. It must be taught to all nations equally, without favoring one race, ethnic group, or societal standing over another.

Most of our human governments corrupt themselves upon this very principle. In upholding the laws of a nation, there is all too often a double standard.

Politicians who break the law are rarely prosecuted under the law. They will readily apply the law to their political opponents or to average people like you and me. But they are quick to excuse themselves from culpability. 

Some will speak evil of the way of truth. 

2 Peter 2:1,2  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2)  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 

Within the church, Peter warned that false prophets would arise and teach damnable heresies. Many people will be led astray and turn against the way of truth, which is the way of God. 

Our nation is a vivid example of this. The Pilgrims and Puritans bequeathed us with institutions (Church, family, government, work ethic and education processes) that were based solidly upon Bible truth. 

These hardy souls put their entire lives on the line to come here so that the gospel of Jesus Christ could have a fresh start in the "New World." 

Our founding fathers gave us strong laws and social mores have guided and shaped our nation for two centuries. 

However, it seems now that the government and its leaders are mostly openly hostile, to the very gospel that saves souls and makes people better citizens. They speak evil of the way of truth and God will hold them to account. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

We must consciously make an effort each day to choose the way of truth. Our enemy will try hard to stop us from walking in the way of truth because he is a liar. 

Life in general contains may distractions and unexpected events that cause us to take our gaze off the way of truth. We may begin to look around at circumstances like Peter did when the Lord told him to walk on the water toward Christ.

When we look at circumstances instead of God's truth, we will begin to flounder like Peter when he began to sink. Our hope is in the LORD and when we put our eyes back upon Him, we will not sink. 

Like David, we must pray to the Lord that He will make a plain path before us, this wonderful way of truth. May we have the courage to step out by faith and walk in this holy path. 

It is a good path that God has for His children so let us seek it earnestly each day. The world will give us no help in this endeavor, but Christ in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

Like our Lord Jesus Christ, let us teach and speak the way of God in truth to all people, letting them know that the promises and the judgments of the gospel are equally and eternally binding upon all mankind.

May our Lord be honored in our response to His Word.

Bob