Lead Me In The Everlasting Way Series

Text: Psalm 139:17-24

Theme: Leads us into the Everlasting way

Introduction:

Psalm 139 is a more comprehensive holistic Psalm on God. The relationship between God and man is related to each other in many ways and dealings. Psalm 139:1-6 explains the knowledge of God on the activities and movements of men on the earth, 139:7-12 explains the all-present God in every life situation, and 139:13-16 leads us to understand the all-potent God, who created us in our mother’s womb. So the Omniscience of God, Omnipresence of God, and Omnipotent of God are given in a nutshell in this passage. Then he moved on to tell us that he leads us into Eternity. David talks about the evil designs, and evil systems of humanity and he stood against everything. Then David expresses his faith in God’s justice: Though many things are beyond our understanding, it looks like God is silent but In his appointed time he would deal with all those who are against his purpose and His people. No one can thwart the purpose of God for all of us. Let them try their level best. But, God is there to take care of us in its appointed time.

This portion reminds us in three ways, a man can walk:

Pleasing ways

Painful ways

Perpetual Way

1. Pleasing Ways: (Psalm 139:17-18)

God’s plans are higher than our Plans: His thoughts on us are very precious; he has many good purposes and designs with the larger interest of us. Already the grace we enjoying is more pleasing and uncountable. So David doesn’t want to go on the ways of evil but godly ways. The ways of saints are established and blessed by God. God knows the best things to do for Him.

It is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:5-6). Proverbs 16:7 says, if the ways of a man are pleasing to the Lord, then he will make his enemies mend with him. Do what pleases God (1 John 3:22).

Philippians 4:18 refers to True sacrificial giving pleases to God. Romans 12:1-2 pleasing to God is the living and sacrificial life with transformation. Doing the will of God and obedience to the call pleases God (Matthew 3:17, John 8:29). In 1 Thessalonians 2:4, Paul says that he would like to please God rather than men. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 calls to living a life pleasing to God.

God has precious thoughts for all of us. The thought refers to His plans, purpose and proper guidance, and the way we should go. His ideas about our life on earth and beyond are not cognizable and above to search and understanding. The previous portions talk about how GOD as, Omniscient, Omnipresent and Omnipotent God deals with all of us from creation to eternity.

Albert Barnes: The numberless “thoughts” are related to planning for our embryo, forming a frame so wondrously, and bring it to perfection with more care and concerns, developing it step by step, providing everything, also guarding and defending it. We parents are having thoughts for our children, in providing for them, teaching them, counseling them, and anticipating their needs as they grow older and advance in age.

2. Painful Ways (Psalm 139:19-24 a)

God has set a standard of living. But human beings left that high standard, and they invented many evil devices for their survival and maintenance. The ways of the man are painful to him as well as to God. The ways of the people of Noah’s generation brought pains to the Lord (Genesis 6:5-8). The Lord regretted creating them. King Saul had a wicked way, and it displeased the Lord.

David prays to God for an audit of his ways to scrutinize the activities and pleads to remove from him any offensive way, grievous, hurtful ways, and wicked ways.

According to Spurgeon: David says O Lord, you see if, there be any wicked way in me, in my heart, or my life, any evil habit unknown to myself. If found, no matter how dear the wrong may have become, nor how deeply prejudiced I may have been in its favor, be pleased to deliver me altogether, effectually, and at once, that I may tolerate nothing contrary to thy mind(christianity.com).

"any way of grief" what tended to wound and grieve his soul, or to grieve the hearts of God's people; or to grieve the Holy Spirit of God (Gill Exposition). We are indeed prone to walk in unbelief, vanity, and pride, selfishness, and worldliness. We often pursue the empty pleasures shadowy honors, etc. There is the way of self-dependence, and there is the way of disobedience (biblestudytools.com).

Are our ways painful to the Lord? Whether God is happy about the situation we go through in our lives, or our profession our performances, our plans painful to the Lord. Deuteronomy 32:5 indicates that Israelites were a crooked and perverse generation. Psalm 1:1 refers to three kinds of people as wicked counselors, sinners, and scoffers. Also, refer to Isaiah 59:7 talk on the feet of the wicked, their hands and everything they do is painful to the Lord. Ezekiel 33:11 says that God is displeased in the death of the wicked. There seems to a good way but the end is wicked (Proverbs 14:12).