“The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:7-11
“Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.” Psalm 25:8-10
“Godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” 1 Timothy 6:6-10
Great reward. Great gain. Paths of steadfast love and righteousness. Godliness. What riches, what sweetness and satisfaction God’s children are promised and will own forever! Made known in His Word is the prescribed path He makes through His Word for sinners to know contentment and blessing. His words are perfect and true, He is good and upright, and we make the decision whether and how to follow.
The start of the path is in the soul. Revived, made wise, and rejoicing by exposure to the Word, we are enlightened to truth and proper fear of God. As we delight in His wondrous words, we are nourished to keep them, step by step. Tending to the inner man is vital to travel God’s way.
The journey bears its own rewards, by affording ongoing intimacy with the Savior. He humbles us, teaches us, and unveils His manners and ways. He supports us in temptation, and proves Himself as a treasure more precious than gold. The longer we walk, the farther we go, the more we experience firsthand His strong love and faithfulness.
Are we dedicatedly pursuing God’s path? What difference does His perfect, sure, right, and pure word make in daily confession, attitudes, outlook, and plans? What satisfaction in fellowship and wisdom from His Spirit’s instruction has become more real? What heavenly rewards am I presently enjoying?
“I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Tho’ some may dwell where these abound,
My pray’r, my aim is higher ground.
I want to scale the utmost height,
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till Heav’n I’ve found,
Lord, lead me on to higher ground.
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table land;
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” ~Johnson Oatman (1898)
God, keep me on Your path, pursuing Your ways, toward Your glory.
As the rain and snow 