The Way of the righteous
Psalm 1:6 “For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”
It is a constant source of peace when we recognize that “The Lord knoweth” my way….the way He has led me in….and…that He knows what is in that way, for me.
John 10:27, 12 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me:
But he that is an hireling (one doing it, just for the money, not for care of the sheep), and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.”
How important it is that we know “the way of the righteous”….the way He leads us “in and out,”…and to “find pasture.” (John 10:9)…and to follow His Way.
Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.”
(When God is said to “know” someone, He is said to recognize them….the real them.
For the righteous, this means to care for, and instruct.
For the wicked, this means judgment as to their attitude and actions.)
Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”
This is the way of the righteous….and we should all walk in it. We should be diligently concerned for the souls we come into contact with….that they, too, might be saved.
And once saved, that they might come to the full realization of the life of Christ in them.
Hebrews 4:13 “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do.”
(As children, we are taught that our Heavenly Father sees us, and watches over us…to keep us from harm.
“Be Careful little eyes what you see, be careful little eyes what you see, for the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little eyes what you see.
Be careful little feet where you go, be careful little feet where you go…for the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little feet where you go.”
It continues with “hands, what they do”…and “mouths, what we say”…
Perhaps this isn’t taught anymore….but it always was a good way to show that God knows us…who we are, and what we do…
…and because He loves us, He wants us to be careful in this world.
This is a good foundation to show God’s Almightiness and Goodness….and the evil that can be in this world.
Psalm 34:11 “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.”)
God “knows”….
….if we would come to God with this in mind….we would find it easier to get honest with Him, and ourselves.
Our souls…our thoughts, affections, and our willful actions. God knows us. And sent His Son to seek and to save the lost…because God valued our souls.
Now, that we are saved, we need to follow our Lord, wherever He might lead….whether into prayer for others to be saved….or in witness to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ….or in leading others to Him, by the Word of God…God values their souls.
And we too, should value the souls around us.
Righteous….or to be right-wise with God….to think God’s thoughts after Him.
For in our thoughts are the intents of our hearts made manifest.
(Are we following the Lord in this? Are we thinking His thoughts? Or, are our thoughts after the world’s ways?)
Hebrews 4:12 “For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Piercing….that certainly describes the Word of God when we are being dealt with about something.
It pierces our excuses, our reasons, and our affections that have gotten tangled up into things….it pierces and opens us up to the truth…
…….and then (blessed be HIs Name!) He gives discernment in the way to go to set these right…and to get back into the way of the righteous.
Psalm 34:15 “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry.”
Psalm 37:17 “…but the Lord upholdeth the righteous.”
Psalm 55:22 “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
Psalm 112:4 “Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness:…”
Psalm 112:6 “…the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.”
Psalm 146: “….the Lord loveth the righteous:”
The Way of the righteous is to follow the Lord whithersoever He goes….and it is shown us in HIs Word….again and again.
His promises to us are in some ways an anchor to hold us against the storm….
….and in other ways a warm breeze which fills our sails and keeps us moving toward our home in heaven, in peace.
Let us get into His Way, and stay there…for there are many ways presented to us from the world….and we need His discernment in these days.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 