The Biblical Illustrator
Every child of God comes to the place in his walk with God where he does not know what to do. He is in a state of perplexity as to the way in which he should go. What makes it worse is the fact that he is surrounded by enemies. Hence, he knows not how to act as to escape them. Help is sought as well as direction. He needs a map of the way as well as a guide to assist.
Jeremiah 10:23 clearly states - "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."
What the Prophet was saying here is that man left to himself cannot lead himself into any good. His "way" does not belong to himself; it is not in his own power.
It is not in man that sets out in any undertaking to establish his steps or to give a prosperous issue. He cannot direct his own steps.
He is not capable of being the master of his own "way" for there are times when he does not know what to do nor which way to turn himself.
The Biblical Illustrator stated above - "...One false step may ruin you forever..." Hence, man must be directed and overruled by Powerful Providence.
Said another way - he needs God - he desperately needs God!
Family Bible Notes says - "Every true child of God deeply feels his inability, without God's help, to direct his steps..."
Because this is so, in both Psalms 5:8 and 27:11, we find David praying these words -
"Lead me, O LORD, in Thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make Thy way straight before my face."
"Teach me Thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies."
When you do not know what to do nor which way to go, and, to make matters worse, you realize that you have enemies who want to see you fail and fall through a "false step," then it is a good time to pray - "Lead me, O LORD..."
"Lead me, O LORD, in Thy righteousness..."
"...lead me in a plain path..."
David asked the LORD to lead, guide, and uphold him - to be his God and his guide. He prayed that God would let His light shine on his path that he might see how to proceed...open before him a plain and safe path...Divinely instruct him in the right path...and lead him in safety through the midst of the snares of his enemies.
He asked the LORD to "lead" him for His "righteousness" sake...by the right hand of His "righteousness"...or because of His faithfulness to His promises. He prayed that God would deliver him by His power from the distresses which completely surrounded him...make His way straight before David's face...and keep him from turning aside from the right way at any time or in any way.
He asked the LORD to "lead him in a plain path" - a level path where there is no stumbling - a path that is easy to see and free from intricacy and obscurity. He was describing a level path that is not rugged and beset with rocks and precipices. In a sense, he was referring to the path of truth... path of righteousness ...way of holiness...way of duty...and way of Divine protection and safety.
"Teach me Thy way, O LORD"
David was begging God to "teach" him what he should do. He cried out to God to point out and direct which course he should take in order to please the Lord, discharge his duty, and save himself from ruin.
He realized that he was facing three (3) dangers -
1) choosing his own way - "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:12)
2) trusting his own strength and wisdom - "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6)
3) and distrusting God's leading in the darkest path - "But now thus saith the LORD That created thee, O Jacob, and He That formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee" (Isaiah 43:1-2).
Hence, he earnestly prayed to the LORD - "...make Thy way straight before my face."
What he was asking here was that God would mark out or make plain before him the path to tread - to make it manifest so as not to mistake it ...remove all obstructions out of the way...and make it plain and smooth so as to clearly discern it.
At first, you may wonder at David's earnestness in praying such prayers; that is, until you discover the reason for this earnestness - "...because of mine enemies."
David knew that he had "enemies." Do you?
He knew that he had "enemies" - harsh and cruel "enemies" - who were at hand to "swallow" him up. They were narrowly and constantly watching him. They were continuously seeking occasion against him...laying snares for him...coming upon him unawares and taking advantage of him...or laying in wait to deceive him and lead him out of the way.
Because he had "enemies," he knew the importance of his standing on a smooth and level ground - "My foot standeth in an even place..." (Psalm 26:12) It was so important that he walked in a straight path as opposed to the "crooked and perverse ways" of the wicked. (Philippians 2:15)
This could only be done if his resolutions were fixed for God and godliness...he was not shaken by the temptations of the world...not troubled by the crosses and troubles of the world...his affections were in an equal tenor...and the scales of his mind hung equal and unmoved between prosperity and affliction.
Proverbs 15:19 says - "The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain."
The "righteous" man walks calmly and safely along. He "stands" on the godly principles as outlined in the Word of God. This "stand" makes him abhor evil...cleave to that which is good... avoid the company of evil men...and be true and just in his dealings with men. As a result, God resolves his doubts. He is preserved from his "enemies" by the power of God.
Because the "righteous" man walks in strict integrity and faith, his way is made plain. His way becomes a raised road above the rest - a road easy to be trodden. The Lord makes the darkness that surrounds him light and the crooked places straight. All difficulties vanish. The "thorns" yield a passage.
As opposed to the way of faith for the "righteous," the "way of the sluggard" is a way of unbelief. His "way" is strewed with "thorns" and "briers" - which typify his own apprehensions. He imagines 10,000 difficulties in his way which cannot be surmounted. He meets with perpetual difficulty and trouble. And it is all because he is too idle to be importunate and too slothful to be earnest in praying as David prayed - "Lead me, O LORD, in Thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make Thy way straight before my face." "Teach me Thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies."
Child of God, you have "enemies" - "enemies" who are constantly observing you and desire to see you fail and fall - fall to a "false step." Hence, it is imperative that you earnestly pray for God's leading in all that you do.
Do not be as the "slothful" man who either shirks his responsibility due to exaggerated and imagined fears or denies all danger involved due to an imperceptive, worldly spirit.
You need God's leading today! The Church desperately needs His leading today!
One "false step" - just one "false step" - can cause you to lose what you gained in the Lord! Just one "false step" can give the enemy place to steal, kill, and destroy what you worked so hard to gain in Jesus. Just one "false step" can stop a move of God! Just one "false step" can set you on the wrong path for years to come!
Never forget - you have an "enemy" who is just watching and waiting for you to take one "false step"! Only the LORD can help you to avoid such disaster and ruin!
Whatever you do - do not think that it cannot happen to you!
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
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