The Paths of Righteousness (Part 1)
Psalm 23:3, “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness”.
There is no doubt that the 23rd Psalm pertains to what Proverbs 4:23 calls “the issues of life.” In fact, you will notice that at the end of this psalm the psalmist reflects upon the whole realm of what he has proclaimed here, and as he ponders the record, he declares, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE: and I WILL DWELL in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6) It is interesting that the only reference to what lay beyond this life in eternity is the future tense reference in verse 6 where he states, “I WILL DWELL in the house of the Lord forever.” I mention this to show that this one verse defines a very clear thought pattern that is interwoven throughout the fullness of this text.
The whole content of Psalm 23 basically assures me of two things. First, it assures me that my Great Shepherd will faithfully guide me through this life. Second, this psalm assures me that He will finally get me safely to that eternal rest which awaits the saints of God beyond this mortal coil! This psalm is a promise of His presence, power, provision, and protection, not merely at the time of death, but in particular, throughout “ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE”! You see, while most people use this psalm as a means of comfort in the time of death, it is “My Life” that is the main interest of our Shepherd in this psalm!
Understanding this point is essential to understanding the phrase set before us here in Psalm 23:3. Here we read the words, “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness”. Notice that the word used here is not “path” – singular, but it is “paths” – plural. This is a key detail! The “paths” spoken of in this psalm parallel the “paths” that God has set for “my life”! I am not suggesting that these “paths of righteousness” represent God’s particular plan for my individual life, but instead, I believe it to represent God’s general plan for “his people and the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 100:3)! You see, these “paths of righteousness” make clear that there are many different seasons and situations which He compels us to face, and there are varied terrains and trails which He causes us to travel.
This means that God’s leadings in our lives are sovereign! He has divinely determined the direction in which He will take us; He has carefully chosen and charted the course which we must walk! His leadings are exact, and they are always in accordance with His plan and purpose for us! Remember that Romans 8:28 promises us that “ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD to them that love God, to them who are the called ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.” And what is that purpose? Romans 8:29 tells us that it is “…to be conformed to the image of his Son.” It is this providential purpose that reveals exactly why God’s leadings do not direct us in a singular “path”, but instead, “He leadeth me in paths”.
Think about it friend! How could the divine purpose of Christ-likeness be realized without these varied “paths”? If all of life were mountain top experiences and easy pathways, how could the character of our Lord be made manifest in us? Remember what Paul cried, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, BEING MADE CONFORMABLE UNTO HIS DEATH.” (Philippians 3:10) How could we “know him” in intimacy without taking upon us “the fellowship of his sufferings”? How could we know “the power of his resurrection” apart from that "death" of crucifixion which paves the path to it?
The words of Christ are very plain concerning this truth. He said that He “suffered for us, leaving us an example, THAT YE SHOULD FOLLOW HIS STEPS” (1 Peter 2:21)! Oh how necessary it is for His leadings to take us “through the valley” (Psalm 23:4) and to place us “in the presence of…enemies” (Psalm 23:5) if we would be like Him! I think this may have been the thought of the great hymn writer Isaac Watts when he penned the words to “Am I a Soldier of The Cross?”
Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace
To help me on to God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord.
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
What a blessed and blissful thought! These “paths of righteousness” may bring me to “green pastures” and “beside the still waters”, or they may compel me to “walk through the valley of the shadow of death”, or perhaps, they may even set me “in the presence of mine enemies”, yet I need “fear no evil”, for He not only is “with me”, but it is He that “leadeth me” to these places! Whether we are in the heat of summer or the cold of winter, in the driest desert or on the well-watered plains, we may rest assured that He has brought us to this place in order to work in our lives those things which would help us to be “conformed” into His “image”! What a blessed thing to say that “we know” that His leadings are always “for good” and “according to his purpose”!
Oh what boundless joy to be confident that He will “direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:6)! Oh the peace of being able to cry out with Job, “He knoweth the way that I take” (Job 23:10)! Oh what abundant rest is ours because we can “Trust in the Lord”, and because we do not have to “lean” upon the frailty of our own “understanding” (Proverbs 3:5)! What a sweet solace there is in knowing that “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies” (Psalm 25:10)! When we understand such a glorious thought, and when we embrace such a wonderful truth, then we will be able to say with David, “As for God, His way is perfect” (Psalm 18:30)!
No comments:
Post a Comment