Make me know Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths, lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day.
(Psalm 25:4)
I work in an office. As is common in this type of workplace, many desks are decorated with family photos, scenic pictures, quotes and inspirational sayings. One saying that I have taken notice of lately is, “There is no set path; just follow your heart.”
To most people, this would seem like fairly sound advice, especially in this day and age when absolutes are shunned, and individualistic self fulfillment is encouraged. Followers of Jesus Christ, however, realize that this type of philosophy is precisely what has brought humankind to the levels of chaos and sin that we see all around us today. God keep us from being directed by the human heart, which is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick (Jer. 17:9)
From the Beginning
Following our hearts began in the Garden, when Eve believed the lies of Satan and ignored what God had commanded. God has, from the beginning, given us standards and principles to live by. But since that first man and women were evicted from God’s presence, we have carried on in the same rebellious attitude of rejecting what He has provided and commanded, choosing instead to go our own way, paying homage to a never ending list of idols.
There is a set path, and it is lighted by the Word of God (Ps. 119:105.) Instructions on finding it and staying on it can be found inside the Bible, scattered throughout the ages and pages therein. Psalm 119 is filled with entreaties to be taught and led according to the Truth. Contrary to what the world would have us believe, there is absolute Truth. And how comforting and confidence building it is to know that there is a God in Heaven Who is the author of this Truth, a Sovereign God Who befriends all that bow the knee to Him, becoming for them their Savior and Protector in a world filled with uncertainties and potential for tragedy.
God’s Truth
God’s Word is the ultimate Truth. God cannot be separated from Truth or it from God. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6.) He is the Word (John 1:1), and is full of grace and truth (John 1:14b.) He is its author. He reveals it, and so reveals Himself. There is nothing stronger than this Truth, whether shouted with the loudest, most commanding voice, or whispered faintly with one’s dying breath. Truth never shrinks back. Nothing else can match it, or threaten it, or overturn it. Even when it is silent, and unseen, it is at work, proving itself. It never loses power, or runs out; it supplies us with every confidence and a hope that cannot be shaken.
Not Just Words
We can’t have a living relationship with mere words on a page. We can, however, have a real relationship with the God Who is revealed on those pages. He is at work in our lives by His Spirit, revealing Himself to us in Scripture, and we can recognize Him being actively involved in our lives as we seek Him with all our heart, even with the new heart that He gives to us at salvation. He is a God Who draws near as we draw near to Him, a God Who knows us intimately and Who brings us into a love relationship with Himself. He adopts us into His Kingdom, and becomes for us a Heavenly Father Whose love is everlasting, and Whose grace knows no bounds in our lives.
Truth at Work
• Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ (Rom. 10:17.)
• If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free (John 8: 31b-32.)
• Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth (John 17:17.)
Truth sorts out our thoughts. Like a great sieve, it sifts the contents of our mind and hearts, separating truth from lies. It is living, and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts an intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12.) It is our thermometer, compass, measuring stick and map. It always points to the right way.
The Christian is fed by Truth, and has learned that man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4.) It is growing inside us, transforming us by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2.) As we walk through this world, there is much going on around us that would deny what God’s Word tells us. Thank God for His Word, and for His Spirit Who lives in us, teaching us all things (John 14:26), and directing our path (Prov. 3:6.)
Dear Lord: You light our way in a dark and foreign land. Your word is a beacon, leading us home. When it illumines the confusion around us, we see a clear and straight path carved out. Your Spirit unlocks the doors of our understanding, so that we can walk in freedom, confident of your purpose and working in our lives. Let us ever look to You, the author and finisher of our faith. Lead us in truth and triumph in Christ Jesus, Who is full of grace and truth. Like little children we look to You for all truth. Amen.
4 comments:
A passion for God’s Word first and foremost comes from our Almighty God taking a heart of stone and turning it into a heart of flesh, opening the eyes of a sinner to their depravity and granting them saving repentance and faith. Through that miracle transformation comes a new creature. This new man, indwelt by the Spirit of Christ, yearns and longs for the solid food of God’s Word. He yearns and longs to obey God - to not just be a hearer of the Word but a doer. Yes, we fall. Yes, we have seasons of spiritual dryness but the Holy Spirit convicts us and brings us through a continual state of synergistic sanctification conforming us more and more into the image of Jesus Christ. So we must start with true regeneration and that happens when the glorious gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is proclaimed with power and boldness to soil prepared by God. It all gets back to the church needing desperately to return to the Bible - to the Christ exalting Words of Holy Writ. When true regenerated Christians get together they yearn to talk about the things of God. This passion alone can be seen by others and the trust, dependancy and obedience to God’s written Word becomes a living example to light the fire of passion for others. We need leaders in the church today to boldly proclaim the Word of God - all of it!
Ike I can appreciate what you say. I often consider that the plethora of "information" about the Bible, by way of sermons, books, tapes, conferences, Intranet, are in fact a huge distraction, and work against my "knowing" God on an intimate, first hand level. Many times I determine to "fast" from these things that can merely rob me of time without bringing me any closer to the Person of Truth, and turn to His Word alone, prayerfully asking Him to come in and dine with me. When I do, His Word becomes a treasure chest that He delights to open for me.
Thanks Sis, Hope your having a great day, better yet, pray your having a great day.
ps. are you north of me or south ?
We just finished a presidential election in this country where the winner has a laughably thin resume, and most people don't really know what the man will do, since his campaign was based on generalities. In short, he was elected as part of a $3 billion dollar PR campaign. Increasingly facts and truth have little currency among men - it's all about show and image. It's like watching a Hollywood movie and choosing to believe it as fact.
Now more than ever I understand what Christ meant when he said that all who are on the side of truth will follow him. Satan is the Prince of lies, and all who abhor truth will follow him, and will also follow the persons the devil empowers and works through to accomplish his ends.
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