Stay on the Path
Psalms 17:3-5, NCSB, “You have tested my heart; You have examined me at night. You have tried me and found nothing evil; I have determined that my mouth will not sin. Concerning what people do; by the word of Your lips I have avoided the way of the violent. My steps are on Your paths; my feet have not slipped.”
Stay on the Path
As a child growing up on a farm in rural Marengo County, my brother and I spent the majority of our time outside. We played in the woods and walked various places to explore. When walking through the woods or through the pasture, we knew it was best to stay on the path. To stray from the path meant we might encounter trouble. Usually not life threatening trouble, but briars, ticks, redbugs and an occasional snake.
Walk the Path of God
In Psalms 17, David told God that his steps were on His paths. The Hebrew word for path meant the track of the wheel. David meant that he was living the way God directed him to live. In order to avoid unwanted obstacles in our lives, we need to walk the paths of God. We must stay in the tracks that God has laid out for us. In the picture above, there is a clear wheel track. Walking the track or path will keep us in the paths of God.
Stay in the Path by Guarding our Minds
David gives us three ways to stay on the paths. In Psalms 17:3, David says that God had tested his heart. There are two Hebrew words for heart. One is the actual organ of the body and the other meaning is the mind. So, God had tested or examined his mind and found no evil. As Christians, we must guard our mind or control our thoughts. Philippians 4:8 tells us to meditate on the things of God. Romans 12:2 speaks to us about renewing our minds. We renew our minds by focusing on things of God. Spending more time in prayer and reading His word will help our minds stay on Him and bring us closer to God.
Stay on the Path by Guarding our Mouths
The second thing David mentions in Psalms 17 is to be aware of what we say. In verse 3b, David said that he has purposed that his mouth should not transgress. We must make it a priority that our mouths not say things that are harmful and offensive, but we edify one another and glorify God. Ephesians 4:29 tells us that out of the mouth comes the things from the heart or the mind. What we allow to enter into our minds will eventually escape through our words. It becomes even more important to remain in the word of God.
Stay on the Path by Guarding our Steps
Finally, David tells us to watch our steps in verse 5b. Be cautious where you go and the steps you take. Walk worthy of the Lord is the direction from Colossians 1:10.
The Bible tells us to walk just as He walked and to walk in love. Making sure we stay in the path of God is important in our walk with the Lord. My brother and I were walking home through the woods one time on the path that we had so often walked. As we rounded a corner, there was a rattlesnake coiled in the path rearing its head. We quickly turned and went a different path running all the way home. We knew the danger of the snake and in our young minds imagined the snake was chasing us. Walking the path of God does not mean there won’t be temptations or troubles along the way. If we keep our minds focused on Him, speak words of love and edification and stay on God’s paths, we can flee from the temptations and find strength in time of difficulties.
Psalms 17:6, NKJV, “I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God.”
Your Word Hillsong Worship
Paula Wallace
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Following His path takes a lot of “abiding” , but well worth it!! Great scripture and beautiful video! Bless you Paula!