The Paths of the Lord - Part 3

Hosea 14:9 (NLT)

Let those who are wise understand these things.
Let those who are discerning listen carefully.
The paths of the LORD are true and right,
and righteous people live by walking in them.

But sinners stumble and fall along the way.

In Psalm 139 we see the Lord taking great interest and care with the path of our lives and every direction we might take:

Psalm 139:3

You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways

There is no doubt that some of the paths we run after are dangerous and life-damaging to our faith journey:

Psalm 1:6 For the LORD watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

Prov. 4:14 Do not do as the wicked do or follow the path of evildoers.

Jer. 18:15 These can be counted on, but not my people! For they have deserted me and turned to worthless idols. They have stumbled off the ancient highways of good, and they walk the muddy paths of sin. (NLT)

Once we set ourselves down one of these paths, a simple wrong move can cause everything in our lives to crash:

...however, a few simple instructions, followed with all our hearts will keep us from destruction:

• Refuse the path of evil - turn from it and keep yourself from its temptations

Ps. 119:101 I have refused to walk on any path of evil, that I may remain obedient to you word (NLT)

• Allow God's Word to become like a light that shows the way for your feet. These are days of uncertainty and trial, yet the Lord's word is faithful and true and will aways provide light for our paths

Ps. 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (NKJV)

• Once the Lord shows you the way, allow yourself to run towards that path. Don't put it off for another day - run in the direction He has made for you. As you do this your heart will be set free

Ps. 119:32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free (NIV)

• Give thought to the direction you take. Don't allow yourself to be swept away by the latest trends; or the chances of life that will always carry with it some unintended diversions or hidden perils. It is not an accident that has you in the place you are today - it is the result of conscious thoughts and many decisions along your journey

Prov. 4:26 Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established (NKJV)

• The wicked man in Psalm 1:1 stops walking down his path - he actually stops to look at the sin he has stumbled upon. We find him standing (not walking) in the path of sin. He eventually sits down in the place of the sinner and becomes a scoffer of the righteous. We are called to walk down God's path of life and find ourselves planted like a tree beside refreshing water - our lives end in prosperity and fruitfulness:

Psalm 1

1Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;2But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.3He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.4The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.6For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Pathways of the Lord - Part 2 HERE
Pathways of the Lord - Part 4 HERE