March 21

Show me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. - Psalms 25:4.

BY the “way” and “paths of the Lord,” concerning which the Psalmist sought divine instruction and direction, we understand the way in which his people walk in regard to him; and these are called his ways, because he appoints them, and because he enjoins us to walk in them. Thus the apostle says, “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Our walking in them means our obedience to his commands. We read of “walking in the fear of the Lord,” and of “walking in love.” We read also of the “way of truth,” of the “way of holiness,” and of the “way everlasting.” When, therefore, David said, “Teach me thy way, O God; I will walk in thy paths;” “I will meditate on thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways;” “Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes, and I will keep it unto the end,”-in all these instances he means the way in which we walk with regard to God, when we are yielding obedience to his injunctions.

There are persons who speak much of God’s commandments under the Law, who yet despise the chief of them under the gospel. For, as the Apostle John says, “This is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.” Now, until this command of God be complied with, it is in vain to urge upon people their obligations to obedience; but when we are in Christ, walking in a state of union and communion with him, by faith receiving succours from him as our Head of influence, as well as supplies from him as our Head of government, then, with regard to walking in the way of his statutes generally, we are furnished with inclination as well as with ability; and then, when the Saviour says, “Deny thyself; take up thy cross and follow me;” when we are commanded to “pray without ceasing;” when he says, “Repair to my house; come to my table; walk so as to please me, and abound therein more and more;” when any Of these injunctions thus come from him, oh, then it is pleasing to walk in his ways, and the Christian can say, “Oh that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!”

“Make me to walk in thy commands;

’Tis a delightful road;

Nor let my head, or heart, or hands,

Offend against my God.”