THE PATH OF LIFE

PSALMS 16:1

A. "THOU WILT SHOW ME THE PATH OF LIFE"
  1. The Psalmist reveals in this prayer:
    1. His awareness of different paths used by men to walk in
    2. But that he had faith in God's guidance leading him in the path of life and safety
  2. Such a prayer is most desirable:
    1. Life is most precious
    2. And to enjoy life we must walk in the path of life B. THE PATH OF LIFE
  3. The scriptural use of this expression:
    1. A beaten way by which men can walk
    2. The regular method by which one lives, or shows his character
  4. Our Lord taught:
    1. That there are but two ways for man to choose from - "the broad way with wide entrance and the narrow way with a narrow entrance - Matt. 7:13-14
    2. The broad way with the wide entrance leads to destruction; and the narrow way with the narrow entrance leads to life everlasting
  5. The prayer of the Psalmist reveals clearly:
    1. That he did not trust himself to choose a safe path to walk in
    2. He knew that it is not in man to direct his own steps - Jer. 10:23
    3. Says Isaiah, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way" - Is. 53:6
  6. He took the Lord for his guide:
    1. "In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed...For Thou are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Thy name's sake lead me, and guide me" - Ps. 31:1-3
    2. "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go; I will guide thee with mine eye" - Ps. 32:8
  7. The path of life - what is it?
    1. Jesus Christ our Lord is in the fullest sense the way of life and safety
    2. Said He, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6 C. LET US CONSIDER THE PATH OF LIFE PLAINLY TAUGHT IN THE BIBLE
  8. It is not and cannot be our ways:
    1. Saith the Lord, "For My ways are not your ways...For as the heavens are higher that the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways" - Is. 55:7-9
    2. Our natural ways are the path of darkness, born in human selfishness and contrary to God's will - Is. 59:7; 53:6
  9. The path of life is:
    1. Doing the revealed and perfect will of God - "I delight to do Thy will O my God, yea Thy law is in my heart" - Ps. 40:8
    2. The will of His Father was for Christ the path of life - John 12:49-50
    3. "Not every one that saith unto Me, "Lord, Lord, shall enter in to the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father with is in heaven" - Matt. 7:21
    4. And our Saviour taught us to pray, "Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven" - Matt. 6:9
  10. Choosing a path indicates a purpose in life:
    1. For a path leads to some destination
    2. They that choose a broad way do so for some selfish reason because they cling to some sin which they have no desire to part with
    3. Because the narrow way has stipulations that require the giving up the sinful pleasures of life
  11. How important it is:
    1. That we choose the path of life; moral uprightness, truthfulness, justice and peace
    2. That we know the path that will bring joy, peace and contentment and in the end eternal life
    3. The Psalmist must have had that in mind when he composed the twenty-third Psalm - Ps. 23:1-6
    4. Note where the path of life leads to - "the house of the Lord"
    5. We shall do well to pray, "O send out Thy light and Thy truth; let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill and to Thy tabernacle" - Ps. 43:3


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