{"id":1171,"date":"2025-11-03T21:06:04","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T21:06:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/?p=1171"},"modified":"2025-11-03T21:06:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T21:06:08","slug":"the-paths-of-the-lord-psalm-258-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/03\/the-paths-of-the-lord-psalm-258-10\/","title":{"rendered":"The Paths of the Lord – Psalm 25:8-10"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Some people think that if they can just find God’s perfect will then their life would be easier \u2014 problems, setbacks, and disappointments would be eliminated. Really? I don’t know where such ideas come from \u2014 but a moment of thought will dispel them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The great Bible characters did not have lives that were devoid of difficulties or setbacks or griefs or disappointments. If this did not happen with them, how can we reasonably expect it for ourselves? Jesus grieved over Jerusalem. The apostle Paul knew setbacks and discouragements in his ministry. How can I suppose my life can be free from such things? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The path of the Lord is not easy, it is worthwhile. Those who choose to live as Christ has taught make a positive contribution to life \u2014 to their own life and to the lives of others. We move along a difficult path characterized by faith and love and hope. And, by doing so, we bring more faith and hope and love into the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

It is not an easy path. It is a good path. They are not the same thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 25:8<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u05d8\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1\u05be\u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05a5\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u0591\u05d4 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc\u05be\u05db\u05bc\u05b5\u05a4\u05df \u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b6\u0596\u05d4 \u05d7\u05b7\u05d8\u05bc\u05b8\u05d0\u05b4\u05a3\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05bd\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0\u05c3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.\u201d<\/em> (NRSV).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notice the appeal to God’s character: YHWH is good<\/strong> (\u05d8\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1) and upright<\/strong> (\u05d9\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05a5\u05e8). The first is the common Hebrew word (tov<\/em>) that meant “good” (and still does, as in the phrase: “boqer to<\/em>v” for “good morning”). The second is a word that means “straight.” That is to say: YHWH is not deceptive, but is straightforward. God’s goodness can be trusted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A deterministic God becomes a God who is thus responsible for misfortune and tragedy. Can such a God be trusted? The God we know through Christ is the source of love and hope and justice \u2014 a Being whose reality can be the basis for living life with hope. It is not just a matter of believing that a thing is good because God does it. Rather, the notion that God is good depends upon our prior ideas of what goodness<\/em> and “straightforwardness” are. God does what is good. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through the history of the human race, the idea of goodness<\/strong><\/em> has grown and developed. God has always met people where they were culturally \u2014 to lead them forward in their understandings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, the basic conviction is the same: God is good.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, the implication of the goodness of God is: “therefore he instructs sinners in the way<\/em>.” (The word used here is the common Hebrew word for “sinner.”) It is not so much that God shuns sinners, as that God instructs and teaches sinners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this company, David (or “the psalmist”) includes himself. He is a sinner \u2014 but, one now being instructed by God. God’s character is revealed in the instruction of sinners rather than in the destruction of them. It’s not that judgement and condemnation are not possible \u2014 not at all \u2014 but that the character of God is best known in the redemption and reformation of us sinners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Charles H. Spurgeon (1834-1892)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I like some of Spurgeon’s remarks on this verse (from The Treasury of David<\/em>):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Moreover, as a good man naturally endeavors to make others like himself, so will the Lord our God in his compassion bring sinners into the way of holiness and conform them to his own image; thus the goodness of our God leads us to expect the reclaiming of sinful men. We may not conclude from God\u2019s goodness that he will save those sinners who continue to wander in their own ways, but we may be assured that he will renew transgressors\u2019 hearts and guide them into the way of holiness. Let those who desire to be delivered from sin take comfort from this. God himself will condescend to be the teacher of sinners. What a ragged school is this for God to teach in! God\u2019s teaching is practical; he teaches sinners not only the doctrine but the way.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

God meets us where we are, but does not leave us where we are. God instructs us in “the way.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Verse 9:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u05d9\u05b7\u05d3\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05a3\u05da\u05b0 \u05e2\u05b2\u05ad\u05e0\u05b8\u05d5\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u0591\u05d8 \u05d5\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05dc\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b5\u0596\u05d3 \u05e2\u05b2\u05e0\u05b8\u05d5\u05b4\u05a3\u05d9\u05dd \u05d3\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9\u05c3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.\u201d <\/em>(NRSV).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The word \u05e2\u05b2\u05ad\u05e0\u05b8\u05d5\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd can mean: “humble,” “afflicted,” “poor,” or “oppressed.” Here the term “the humble”<\/em> is standing in (by Hebrew parallelism) for the term “sinner<\/em>.” The sinners who are instructed by God are “the humble.” Humility begins with recognizing our errors. From this we come to see our limitations. If we remain humble we are also correct-able, and teach-able. We are not brought low to be shamed<\/strong>, but to be instructed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is not about: being shamed, or “getting down on yourself,” or being depressed. Humility is a recognition of our limitations. None of us are unimportant \u2014 but we are no more<\/em> important that anyone else. Depression and self-pity and self-hate focus undue attention on ourselves. They are narcissistic in their own destructive way. What they destroy is hope <\/em>and a sense of self-worth. Depression is paralyzing. It saps our energy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Humility is nothing like having a low opinion of yourself. Humility is admitting the truth about yourself. We are limited and often mistaken human beings. We need forgiveness and correction. Because we are prone to self-righteousness, we are likely to be most mistaken when we most think we are right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The humble are led in what is right (\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u0591\u05d8). Here is the great Hebrew word for justice<\/strong>. As we follow God’s instruction \u2014 led ever forward into God’s path \u2014 we come to a deeper and deeper understanding of justice and right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Verse 10:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u05dc\u05be\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b0\u05d7\u05a3\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05d9\u05b0\u05ad\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d7\u05b6\u05a3\u05e1\u05b6\u05d3 \u05d5\u05b6\u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05b6\u0591\u05ea \u05dc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b9\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05a5\u05d9 \u05d1\u05b0\u059d\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u0597\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b5\u05d3\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05bd\u05d9\u05d5\u05c3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.”<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is the great advantage of being a humble, instructed sinner: we find our way onto YHWH’s paths.<\/strong> And, this is certainly where we want to be. YHWH’s paths are steadfast love and faithfulness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

These are wonderful words, expressing a wonderful, almost inexpressible reality: God’s faithful love. The term \u05d7\u05b6\u05a3\u05e1\u05b6\u05d3 (hesed<\/em>) often translated “steadfast love” is (in my opinion) essentially untranslatable: it is that amazing, gracious never-gives-up love of God that reaches out to us in spite of our foolishness, and our waywardness<\/strong>. The idea is strengthened further when paired up with \u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05b6\u0591\u05ea (\u02beemet\u0331\u00a0<\/em>) “faithfulness” or “reliability.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

God meets us in our sin and waywardness. God teaches us the path by which to live. And, when we live in it, we are surrounded by God’s unwavering love and faithfulness. It is not an easy life, secure from any discouragements or griefs or set-backs \u2014 it is a life of blessing and hope and peace and love. We do not discover ease, but blessing. We are upheld, we are made strong. Our lives become both blessed and a blessing to others. We become an influence for good. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our life. God’s path is an upward path. It’s always harder traveling uphill. But, the view from the top us wonderful, and the journey itself is good. It is not an easy life. It is a life worth living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A PRAYER.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

O God
whose ways are steadfast love and faithfulness
Who has come to us in Jesus Christ <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meet us again in our waywardness,
our foolishness, and our sin <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teach us again Your Ways <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We often desire an easy life
Teach us to live a life worth living
We often desire our own peace and pleasure
Teach us the way to fulfillment and true joy
Teach us the discipline that bring hope to ourselves and our world
Show us Your path <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lift us up when we stumble
Please be patient with our stumbling ways.
Teach us, Guide us, Uphold us.
Be our guide up the mountain of faith and hope and love.
May Your grace be upon us
May your grace shine out of our instructed lives. Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Some people think that if they can just find God’s perfect will then their life would be easier \u2014 problems, setbacks, and disappointments would be eliminated. Really? I don’t know where such ideas come from \u2014 but a moment of thought will dispel them. The great Bible characters did not have lives that were devoid […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":97,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,26],"tags":[45,541,543,546,547,304,253,66,545,544,540,542,550,549,548],"class_list":["post-1171","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bible-studies","category-praying-the-psalms","tag-bible","tag-good","tag-goodness","tag-humble","tag-humility","tag-justice","tag-mercy","tag-praying-the-psalms","tag-sinner","tag-sinners","tag-spurgeon","tag-upright","tag-550","tag-549","tag-548"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1171","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1171"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1171\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1175,"href":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1171\/revisions\/1175"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/97"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1171"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1171"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.craigladams.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1171"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}