The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: David

  • Study and Know God

    “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”

    John 14:21

    One of the most important things a Christian can do is to faithfully read God’s Word. In that reading, one should begin placing those Words within that heart. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee”(Psalm 119:11). With God’s Word in one’s heart, that one will begin to recognize what God expects (and does not want) within that Christian life.

    While reading the Bible, it is important to ask God to teach you as you read. “Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes” (Psalm 119:12). Statutes means “precepts and rules which must be strictly obeyed.” God wants us to obey His Word, the Bible. Some Christians find this a difficult thing. People do not want a bunch of rules to obey. What one must understand is the the Bible is not a book full of “do’s and don’ts”. That is the opinion of many. However, read what David wanted: “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law” (Psalm 119:18). Wondrous means “the basic meaning is to be wonderful and to cause a wonderful thing to happen … it is used primarily with God as the subject. He does things which are beyond the bounds of human powers or expectations…” David wanted to read God’s Law to recognize and understand the wonderful things that God does. If you think about it, God’s Word that David read was mostly the five books of the Law: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Can you even imagine how David might have reacted if he had been able to read the complete Bible that we have available to us today?

    After asking God to “open thou mine eyes”, read what else David asked God to do for him. “33. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. 34. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. 35. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight” (Psalm 119:33-35). Not only did he ask God to teach him, but to give him understanding. He then proceeded to ask God to “make me to go in the path of thy commandments”. Make me to go means “by implication to walk; to guide, lead (forth).” David wanted God to guide him and help him to walk in God’s ways. What did David do when he did not understand what to do? “Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments” (Psalm 119:73). After acknowledging who God is, David asked for understanding to learn. This is just a small sampling of David’s reactions to God’s Word.

    If you remember, David was known as a man after God’s own heart. “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will” (Acts 13:22). But did you know that God knew this about David before He even chose him to be a king, while he was only a young shepherd boy? When King Saul refused to obey God’s commandments, Samuel gave him this message: “But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee” (1 Samuel 13:14). David was that man.

    Have you ever considered taking this approach as you read your Bible? Begin to hide God’s Word in your heart, keeping you from sin (see Psalm 119:11). Ask God to teach you from His Word (see Psalm 119:12, 18, 33-34). Petition God to guide you, lead you, and help you to walk in His ways (see Psalm 119:35). Remember that David not only acknowledged who God is, but also asked God to give him understanding to learn. David had limited amounts of God’s written word in his day. Today, we have the complete written Word of God, the Bible to study and know (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17). This should be our goal as Christians.

    A great preacher once said, “Bible study gives you knowledge about God. Obedience gives you knowledge of God. You can study the Bible and know about God, or you can obey the Bible and know God.” Make sure you not only read God’s word, but adhere to the teachings. Remember again what Jesus said. “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21). Manifest means “to exhibit (in person) or disclose (by words): to appear, declare (plainly), inform.” When Christians keep Jesus’ commands, they not only show they love Him, but He will manifest Himself to them.

    Have you taken time study God’s Word, knowing about God?

    Or

    Have you learned to obey God’s Word, thereby knowing God?

  • Prepare Your Heart

    “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life”

    Proverbs 4:23

    David was Israel’s greatest king, Remember that David understood that God saw man’s heart. He recorded: “23. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). We can read in the New Testament God’s declaration about King David: “… he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will” (Acts 13:22). God knew David’s heart was seeking after God’s own heart.

    In looking into the kingdoms of Israel and Judah (because the kingdom split), we find that “heart” is in more than ninety-one verses in 1 Kings – 2 Chronicles. Heart mean “the totality of man’s inner nature, the place where wisdom and understanding reside…” Often times we find they either did or did not prepare their heart. Prepare means “make ready; be steadfast and faithful; actual preparation for a future event, especially spiritual preparation.” (Prepare is only in 5 verses in 1 Kings – 2 Chronicles.) However, remember part of King David’s prayer just before Solomon became king: “O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel … prepare their heart unto thee” (1 Chronicles 29:18). Read some others:

    • Rehoboam (a foolish king): “And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD” (2 Chronicles 12:14).
    • Jehoshaphat right before he made many reforms: “Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, … and hast prepared thine heart to seek God” (2 Chronicles 19:3).
    • Right before King Jehoshaphat died: “… for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers” (2 Chronicles 20:33).
    • King Hezekiah’s prayer right before they observed the Passover: “18. … But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one 19. That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers …” (2 Chronicles 30:18-19).

    We also understand that some had (and some did not have) a perfect heart. Perfect means “complete, whole, perfect”. David encouraged Solomon to have a perfect heart: “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts …” (1 Chronicles 28:9). However, Solomon did not have a perfect heart: “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father” (1 Kings 11:4). Keep in mind that there were only eight good kings out of nineteen (and one illegitimate queen) in Judah. Read about some of the following kings of Judah, as one looks at their hearts:

    • Abijam (a bad king): not perfect heart: “… and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father” (1 Kings 15:3).
    • Asa (a good king): perfect heart: “… nevertheless Asa’s heart was perfect with the LORD all his days” (1 Kings 15:14).
    • King Amaziah: good king, but not with a perfect heart: “1. Amaziah … did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart” (2 Chronicles 25:1-2).
    • Uzziah (a good king) who was marvelously helped until he was strong (see 2 Chronicles 26:15): “But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction…” (2 Chronicles 26:16).
    • Hezekiah (a good king) as he prepared before Sennacherib’s invasion: “And in every work that he began … to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered” (2 Chronicles 31:21). However, right before God extended Hezekiah’s life: “24. In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign. 25. But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem” (2 Chronicles 32:24-25).
    • Josiah ( a good king): “Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD” (2 Chronicles 34:27). Also see about Josiah: “And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him” (2 Kings 23:25). Josiah was the last good king in Judah.
    • Zedekiah (a bad king): “12. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself … but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel” (2 Chronicles 36:12-13). Zedekiah was the last king before Judah was carried into captivity.

    With the exception of King Josiah, the kings seemed to become worse in their hearts toward God (and we only looked at eight of the kings of Judah). The condition of many king’s hearts are not even declared for us to know. We do know that God knows all hearts.”20. If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; 21. Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart” (Psalm 44:20-21).

    Why is the heart so important to consider? The Bible is given for our instruction (see 2 Timothy 3:15-17). And the Bible is full of examples from which we are to learn (see 1 Corinthians 10:11-12). But above all, remember to apply the following verse: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). Keep means “to guard; protect; preserve”.

    Do you understand the importance of guarding and protecting your heart with all diligence, preparing your heart to please God?

  • Search my Heart

    “23. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

    Psalm 139:23-24

    The following is an excerpt from “The Biblical Path of Life – Year Two, Quarter Two” Lesson 4:

    “As David was addressing the people before Solomon became king, notice that he was able to proclaim that he had lived a life that was pleasing to God. As we have learned, David was not perfect, but when he sinned, he repented and God forgave. Because of that, he was in a position to be an encourager to all of Israel to seek God and obey His commands. We can read of many throughout the Bible who lived a life to the end that was pleasing to God. Read what Paul wrote to Timothy. ‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith‘ (2 Timothy 4:7). Just as David’s words were an encouragement to all of Israel as he addressed them, Paul’s words were an encouragement to a young preacher named Timothy. Our goal as Christians is to be able to make the same claim: to fight a good fight, to finish the course God has for our life, and to keep the faith until the end. By living a life pleasing to God, from beginning to end, we can be an encouragement to others that they, too, can live a life pleasing to God…

    “David understood that God saw the intent of man’s heart. See what David recorded that can be an encouragement to us today: ‘23. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting‘ (Psalm 139:23-24) and’Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart‘ (Psalm 44:21). Also see what Jeremiah recorded about God knowing man’s heart: ‘I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings‘ (Jeremiah 17:10).”

    After reading this excerpt, understand the following:

    Remember that God knows man’s heart. Christians are not perfect, however we have instructions in the New Testament helping us understand how we reveal what is in our heart by living as a Christian: “22. That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23. And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27. Neither give place to the devil. 28. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:22–32).

    Christians are not to live like the world. “17. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18. Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19. Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (Ephesians 4:17–19).

    Stop and think about these verses. Be encouraged to compare your own life to these verses and see what kind of a life you live in comparison to God’s Word, and the kind of witness your life is to others.

    Read the warning Jesus gave to those who claimed to be righteous apart from Christ. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness” (Matthew 23:27). Jesus knew their heart. He understood that they lived a life on the outside that appeared to believe, yet Jesus knew what was in their heart, “all uncleanness”. They could not hide from Jesus what was within their hearts. Jesus knew.

    After reading these verses, consider the following: Knowing that Jesus knows the heart, look into your heart and see if this verse is a picture of your life. “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Titus 1:16). This is a picture of a life that does not have Jesus in the heart (a Christian). If you do not really know Jesus, today is the day to meet Him. “9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).

    Do you live a good life, yet with a heart that has not truly believed in Jesus?

    Knowing Jesus sees the heart, have you believed and confessed unto salvation only through Jesus?

    If you want to know how to be saved, click here: How to be saved.

  • The Glory Which has been Given

    “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:” John 17:22

    David understood the act of crying out to God with the desires of his heart, knowing God would hear and answer. “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth” (Psalm 145:18). We know that Jesus lived out what God’s Word has taught throughout the ages. We see once again, that Jesus makes his petitions known to God in His prayer in the garden on the evening He was arrested, believing God would answer every request: “20. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21. That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. 24. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world”(John 17:20–24).

    Although Jesus had just prayed for his disciples, notice that He was no longer just praying for them. Jesus was now praying for every person born from then on who would believe the Bible and would give their hearts and lives to Jesus (John 17:20). If you will observe, He included the same issues in prayer for us that He had prayed for the disciples, the men with whom He had spent three years ministering. He made known God’s glory (John 17:22), not only to them, but also to the Gentiles as well. (Glorify means “to reveal the divine character and attributes of God. In John 17:22, this is from the verb that means to be accounted, or be of reputation of”.) Christians today are to understand this as well. When the world see a Christian, they should be depicting the “glory” of God. In other words, a Christian should reveal the attributes of God, having this reputation revealed in their lives.“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Also understand that as Believers, the whole world should see and recognize us as Christians.

    Jesus’ heart’s desire is laid out for us in these verses. He wanted the people who believed in Him to understand that He would be in us and that God’s glory would be revealed to us. Then those who believed could understand the love of God. See how this is understood and revealed to us. “16. That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18. May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19. And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God” (Ephesians 3:16–19).

    In John 17:26, Jesus prayed that we would experience the same love from God that He did. How can that happen? “Jesus answered and said unto him,If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23).

    Something to consider: After Jesus died and rose again, John could look back at what Jesus had taught and lived out in His life. Once John understood that Jesus was God, he penned these wonderful words to help others understand just what he saw and experienced. Jesus was God come in the flesh—to reveal God to a lost world, giving them the power to become the sons of God. “1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2. The same was in the beginning with God. 3. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.  … 10. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:1–5, 10–12). What a privilege! When one receives Jesus, believing by faith, that one becomes a son of God.

    Have you recognized the glory revealed in Jesus, believed, and become a child of God?

    Have you then allowed the world to recognized the glory (the divine character and attributes of God) of God revealed in your life?

    http://biblicalpath.com/index.php/how-to-be-saved/

  • The Wise Live by God’s Wisdom

    “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”

    James 3:13

    The book of Proverbs was mostly written by the wisest man, King Solomon. His wisdom came directly from God (see 1 Kings 3:5-15). Remember what God specifically told Solomon. “4. And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: 5. Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel” (1 Kings 9:4-5).

    God gave Solomon great wisdom, and He expected Solomon to walk before Him in that wisdom. One of the most memorable recollections of this wisdom, is when the two women came before King Solomon, wanting him to resolve the issue of the baby (see 2 Kings 3:16-28). After Solomon’s judgment, “And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment” (1 Kings 3:28). It did not take long for news of Solomon’s wisdom from God to travel abroad. “And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom” (1 Kings 4:34).

    We partially understand the volume of Solomon’s wisdom. “And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five” (1 Kings 4:32). Yet with all of the wise words Solomon knew, spoke and wrote for all generations to read, he was a foolish man. Solomon knew the wisdom of God, yet he lived as a foolish man.

    King Solomon had many wives but only one son, Rehoboam. Rehoboam became a foolish king. His father, Solomon, had given him much instruction and even wrote most of the book of Proverbs to teach him how to be wise. The phrase “my son” is found twenty-three times in the book of Proverbs. Remember how the book begins. “1. The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 2. To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3. To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 4. To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 5. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6. To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. 7. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:1-7). We now understand the purpose of this book.

    What was Rehoboam to do? “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother” (Proverbs 1:8).

    Have you ever considered the fatal flaw in Solomon and Rehoboam’s situation? King Solomon told his son all of the things he needed to know in order to be a wise man who would become the king of God’s people, Israel. Yet, King Solomon did not live out the principles in his life that he taught his son. When reading about Solomon and his kingdom, he did not lead God’s people wisely. King Solomon was much like a slave driver to God’s people, whereas his father, David, was more like a shepherd who led Israel. That became evident when Rehoboam took over the kingdom at his father’s death. “Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee” (1 Kings 12:4). Solomon had made a critical mistake as he ruled God’s people. He spoke God’s wisdom, but he did not live by God’s wisdom.

    What can one learn from King Solomon’s mistake?

    There is a famous saying that most people have heard: “Actions speak louder than words.” Understanding how Rehoboam’s life turned out, one can fully recognize that he saw what his father did, and he ignored what his father taught him.

    Many parents today do the same thing with their children. Most want their children to live a better life than they did, so they try to teach them good things. Often they teach them biblical principles by which to live. However, if the parents do not live by those biblical principles and instead do what they tell their children not to do, what do you think the children are going to do? Listen to what their parents say? Or do what their parents do? “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13). Christians must live a lifestyle (conversation) revealing God’s wisdom in their lives.

    There is another famous saying: “What a parent does in moderation, the child will do in excess.” Have you ever considered that your behavior in front of your children speaks louder than your words? In the case of Solomon and Rehoboam, it appears that Solomon’s actions spoke much louder than his words.

    Rehoboam will forever be known as the foolish king whose kingdom was divided.

    Have you chosen to tell your children the biblical principles by which they are to live?

    Or,

    Have you chosen to also live by biblical principles before your children and others?

  • He Leadeth Me

    “4. Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. 5. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.”

    Psalm 25:4-5

    Have you taken time to consider the importance of the words in the following hymn?

    He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought!

    Author: J. H. Gilmore (1862)

    1. He leadeth me: O blessed thought!
    O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
    Whate’er I do, where’er I be,
    Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

    Refrain:
    He leadeth me, he leadeth me;
    By his own hand he leadeth me:
    His faithful follower I would be,
    For by his hand he leadeth me.

    2. Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
    Sometimes where Eden’s flowers bloom,
    By waters calm, o’er troubled sea,
    Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me. Refrain

    Refrain:
    He leadeth me, he leadeth me;
    By his own hand he leadeth me:
    His faithful follower I would be,
    For by his hand he leadeth me.

    This hymn reminds Christians of the importance of allowing God to lead their lives with “heavenly” encouragement as we traverse this world. Consider: the creator of the universe is interested in leading each of us as his dear children, expecting us to follow Him. “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children” (Ephesians 5:1).

    Remember one of the most famous Psalms that David wrote to help us. “1. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever” (Psalm 23:1-6). When one will follow the Lord, He will lead. The Lord will provide a place to reside while providing one’s needs. Sometimes the path may be in the “scenes of deepest gloom”. Yet even in those times, we are to remember “thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (see Psalm 23:4). The Lord will lead. However, one must choose to follow. Each individual must seek the path that the Lord has for them. “4. Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. 5. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day” (Psalm 25:4-5). If we will ask, the Lord will lead. Not only will He lead, but He will teach as well. It is in those times that we become a faithful follower. Sometimes we must wait upon the Lord, and it is then we learn to be patient and trust in Him.

    If one will only entrust the path of his or her life to the Lord as The Shepherd, it would change the outcome of that earthly life. It would be a life that is pleasing to the Lord.

    Have you chosen to follow the Lord, seeking the path that He has for your life?

  • The Mercies of the Lord

    “I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.”

    Psalm 89:1

    Consider the following song as you read Psalm 89.

    I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord Forever

    by James H. Fillmore

    I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
    I will sing, I will sing,
    I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
    I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.
    With my mouth will I make known
    Thy faithfulness, Thy faithfulness,
    With my mouth will I make known
    Thy faithfulness to all generations,
    I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
    I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.

    Excerpt from The Biblical Path of Life – Year One Quarter Four, Lesson 4:

    “God’s Faithfulness:

    “Read Psalm 89:1–8. Do you notice anything about the first verse? “I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations” (Psalm 89:1). Have you heard the song called “I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord forever”? The words to that song came from this Psalm. In verses 1–8, the writer recognized the great mercies of God. “For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD?” (verse 6a), “or to thy faithfulness round about thee?” (verse 8b). We must make God’s faithfulness known to “all generations” (parents and grandparents must pass it on!). One way we can show with our mouths is through singing (as verse 1 revealed).

    “Read Psalm 89:15–18. Notice verse 15: “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.” Joyful sound here means “acclamation of joy.” We will be blessed if we know that sound of joy. Then we shall “walk” in the light of God’s countenance (light here refers to “life in contrast to death”,and countenance means“in the presence of the Lord. See Genesis 3:8, where God came to walk with Adam and Eve in the garden when they hid from the presence of the Lord; because of their sin”). When we know how to sing of God’s mercies and make that known to all people, we can be blessed people who walk with God. God is our king (see verse 18).”

    After reading Psalm 89, considering the song “I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord Forever”, and reading the excerpt from “The Biblical Path of Life” Bible study, consider the following thoughts.

    In Psalm chapter 89, it would be good to remember the promise God made to David in 2 Samuel 7:5-15. Then reread verses 3-4. “3. I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, 4. Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah” (Psalm 89:3-4). David knew God would keep his promise.

    In this chapter, not only is the covenant of God remembered but the faithfulness of God is recalled over and over. However, more than that, we are encouraged to not only walk with God but to make God’s faithfulness known to our children and our children’s children.

    Have you recognized God’s faithfulness and shared these things with your children or grandchildren?

  • Betrayals

    “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”

    2 Corinthians 7:10

    Have you ever experienced the betrayal of a friend? Did you understand the reasoning behind that betrayal? I believe it hurts the most when one is betrayed by a trusted friend. In instances such as this, one must learn to trust God. Consider the thoughts recorded in Psalm chapter forty-one from which we should learn much.

    Most people recognize enemies; those who speak evil against them, often without cause. “5. Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish? 6. And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it. 7. All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt” (Psalm 41:5-7). Matters are even worse when those “enemies” gather other people to join with them in “whispering” against a specific individual. It hurts all the more when they gather against you.

    However, there is something even worse. “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9). It always hurts the most when it is a close friend, one that you trusted, comes against you. Understanding that this is a Psalm of David, one cannot help but if he had his friend Ahithophel in mind as he wrote it. Ahithophel had been David’s friend, one of the trusted men in his kingdom in whom he relied upon when it came to dealing with his enemies. This man was one whom David had most likely eaten with often. Yet we find Ahithophel chose to side with David’s son, Absalom, when Absalom tried to steal the kingdom from his father (see 2 Samuel 15:12, 31). So how did David handle this situation? “10. But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them. 11. By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me” (Psalm 41:10-11). David prayed. David understood the importance of not stooping to their level by trying to get even. More than that, David trusted God knew what Ahithophel had done, and that God would deal with Ahithophel in His own timing. Remember another thing David wrote; something that he had learned long before. “In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me” (Psalm 56:11). Remember that Ahithophel betrayed David in order to help bring Absalom to the throne.

    These are interesting verses to learn, and even more interesting is the example we find in the New Testament. When Jesus was spending His last evening with his twelve disciples, He made an interesting statement. “I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me” (John 13:18). Jesus had just washed their feet and was teaching them. He quoted David from Psalm 41:9 as He taught them. Jesus knew the entire time that Judas would be the one to betray Him. Yet knowing this, Jesus loved Judas and taught him just as He did the other disciples. Shortly before this, Jesus had told them the following: “Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to washhisfeet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all” (John 13:13). Jesus had often disclosed to His disciples that He would be “delivered into the hands of men” (see Mark 9:31 and Luke 9:44). Because Jesus knew Judas’ heart, He knew Judas was a traitor. He was now revealing that one of them was going to lift up his heel against Jesus – if only they had had ears to hear what Jesus was teaching them. Remember that Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

    Consider: Ahithophel was close to David, yet he betrayed David. Ahithophel chose to help a new man become the ruler.

    Also consider: Judas was close to Jesus (one of his closest followers, closer than Jesus’ family, and was one who was involved in some of Jesus’ most intimate teachings and conversations). Yet Judas chose to betray Jesus. Judas chose money over Jesus – the only One who could give him everything.

    Ahithophel went out and hanged himself when his counsel was overruled. “And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father” (2 Samuel 17:23). Instead of repenting, he ended his life.

    Judas went out and hanged himself after he betrayed Jesus. “And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself” (Matthew 27:5). Instead of repenting, he ended his life.

    “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Because of God’s grace and mercy, anyone can be forgiven if true repentance is offered. However, sorrow of the world worketh death.

    Have you ever been betrayed by a close friend?

    Have you ever chosen things of this world and betrayed Jesus?

  • Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs

    “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

    (Colossians 3:16)

    The following is an excerpt from “The Biblical Path of Life – Year One Quarter Four”, Lesson 2:

    “Many of the Psalms were written when different men approached God in prayer because of circumstances surrounding them. You can see instances of great sorrow, admitted sin, repentance, hope and trust in God, faith, and a great love for God. Throughout Psalms, man’s prayers from the heart turn to singing in that prayer, ending with man praising God, revealing that the Psalms are not only prayers from the heart but songs as well. Some were written in praise and adoration of who God is versus who man is. So many of these hymns are rich in Israel’s history. If we know the history, we will better understand the circumstances surrounding many of these songs.

    “In the book of Psalms, we find God is infinite, sovereign. Yet despite man’s failings, God still communicates with man, and allows man to communicate with Him…

    “One of the most important things we can recognize from the first book of Psalms is the recognition of God and His dealings with mankind. Not only does God care about man, but He is in constant contact with him. We will look at Psalm 8 to help us understand just one recorded instance of God’s specific love and care for man. “3. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4. What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5. For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: 7. All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8. The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. 9. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:3–9).

    “David began by reflecting again on God’s creation of the world. Such power; how could God even consider any dealings with man, let alone have a one-on-one relationship with man? (Visited here means “an action on the part of God which produced a profitable result for His people. The first time that word was used was in Genesis 21:1 when God ‘visited’ Sarah. She conceived the promised son, Isaac, when she was very old.”) God chose to reveal Himself to the people who became the nation Israel, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. He chose this family—Abraham and his wife, Sarah, who had no children—and gave them a child to show Himself mightily to them and to all of the world.

    “David then recognized that God made mankind just “a little lower than the angels.” Not only that, but He “crowned him with glory and honor.” God made man very special. He even gave mankind dominion over the creatures of the world (see Genesis 1:26; 9:2).

    “David ended this acknowledgement of God’s choosing to have a special relationship with man with these words: “O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:9).”

    Understanding these things, consider the following verse: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). The following definitions can help in the understanding of this verse.

    • word of Christ: “refers to the revelation that Jesus brought into the world, which is undiscoverable except by God and the Scriptures”.
    • wisdom: “practical wisdom; sound judgment; good sense”.
    • teaching: “to advise or put in mind, as a tutor would do”.
    • admonishing: “to caution or reprove gently; to warn”.
    • hymns: “a song sung in praise to God”.

    This verse should help us understand the importance of reading and understanding the Psalms recorded so long ago for us. The Psalms are so much more than just songs sung as praises to God, by they are also to instill wisdom and good judgment in our hearts and minds to teach us how to live lives pleasing to God.

    Have you taken time to read and understand the Psalms, understanding that God wants to have a special relationship with you?

  • The Kindness of God

    “And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.”

    Joel 2:13

    Have you ever worked on a puzzle? Can you make out the complete picture with only a few pieces? Consider the way God’s heart was revealed in the Bible to the world. It was revealed piece by piece. One thing at a time. However, when one takes the time to put some pieces together, you begin to see a picture.

    David was a mighty king. Remember how God had David described in the New Testament. “And when he had removed him (King Saul), he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will” (Acts 13:22). In 2 Samuel chapters 1-8 David had become a mighty ruling king in the land of Israel, having subdued the enemies that had encompassed the land. He had brought the Ark of God to Jerusalem, the new capital. “And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went” (2 Samuel 8:14b).

    David then sought out one from the house of the former king, Saul, to whom he could show the “kindness of God unto”. “And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet” (2 Samuel 9:3). Jonathan and David had been great friends. David wanted to show a special kindness to Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth. After King Saul and Jonathan’s deaths, Mephibosheth had been hiding out in Lodebar. David sent for him. David extended grace to him by exalting him to not only have all of his land restored (of which he had lost), but also to sit at the king’s table. He basically adopted Mephibosheth in the family as one of the king’s own sons.

    This is a great picture of the way that the Lord deals with people. When we are separated from God, He reaches out to us. He sends messengers after us where they find us in our exile, separated from God. God touches our heart, extends His grace to us, and will forgive us of our sin. When we receive this gift of grace, He then lifts us up, restoring life to us, and adopts us as His very own. We are then privileged to sit at His table, able to fellowship with Him. This is what being a Christian is all about.

    There is another event in the life of David that reveals another picture of God’s gracious, loving kindness. In 2 Samuel 10, David heard the king of Ammon had died. “Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me …” (2 Samuel 10:2a). However, the counselors of Hanun gave him bad advice. When David’s servants came to Hanun, he mistreated them and sent them away. King David sent to meet them to have them taken care of. When the children of Ammon heard they “stank before David” (means “be abhorred (had in abomination, loathsome, odious)”), they hired other nations to go fight with them against David. Take note that they did not repent of the rejection of David’s words, or of the evil they had done to David’s men. “And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men” (2 Samuel 10:7). King David’s men defeated the enemies who planned to come against them. So much so, that they made peace with Israel and feared to help the children of Ammon any more.

    This is a great picture of when God extends his grace, and it is rejected. He sends His messengers with words of peace. God is love, but God is also holy. He will not permit evil and sinful men to mistreat His messengers with impunity. When His messengers are sent with the Gospel message, God will not allow people to treat His Gospel message as garbage. God gives time for repentance and a change of heart. But if one refuses the Gospel message, God, who is holy and righteous, will respond as his holiness and righteousness demands: in his wrath. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).

    However, what do we understand from reading God’s Word? “12. Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13. And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil” (Joel 2:12-13). When one will turn to God with all of his or her heart, God is merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness. He will forgive and turn from the evil that was destined to befall one.

    Have you received the “kindness of God” and given your heart and life to Jesus?

    Or,

    Have you rejected God’s extension of Grace in the Gospel message, waiting for the wrath of God?

    http://biblicalpath.com/index.php/how-to-be-saved/