Psalm 23:1-31 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
The path of righteousness is the road on which God, our Shepherd, provides for our needs, refreshes our souls, and teaches us to glorify His name. On Sunday I reminded us of 3 things that can take us off the path of righteousness.
1. When we ignore the Word of God we can veer off the path.
1 Corinthians 4:6 Paul says, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Paul was lifting up the Word of God as a standard for life. For those who disregard the Word of God it is as if they are walking through life in the dark. Psalm 119:105 says God’s word is a lamp unto our feet and a light for our path. You can’t be on a dark path and be on the path of righteousness at the same time. It is impossible.
2. When we ignore the voice of the Holy Spirit we can veer off the path..
Jeremiah 29:12-13 go on to say: “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
The Spirit of God moves in the hearts and minds of the humble to bring revelation to those who are seeking it, diligently seeking it with the intention to follow it.
God has spoken to us in His Word which was inspired by the Holy Spirit, but He is also speaking to us through words of knowledge, wisdom, prophecy and revelation that are spoken to us through others in His body who hear from Him. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20 “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt.”
3. Ignoring the ways of the Lord could cause us to veer off the righteous path.
God has a way in which we are to walk, but He also has a way in which we are to experience Him and respond to life’s circumstances as we walk down that righteous path. We are to be at peace as we trust God to provide for our needs. We are to allow God to set the rhythms of our lives when it comes to work and rest. We are to look to God to comfort us in those “valley of the shadow of death” moments. We are to receive supernatural strength even in the midst of being attacked by others as we feast at the table God spreads for us in the “presence of our enemies.”
We are guided in paths of righteousness for what? Look at verse 3. “For His name’s sake. God’s reputation is on the line in the lives of those on the righteous path. One way to check if you are on the path to righteousness is to ask, “Is God getting glory from my life as I am currently living it?”
Let’s choose to stay on the righteous path today!
Pastor Melissa
