Paths of Righteousness

Paths of Righteousness- One of many peoples favorite scriptures, we find the 23rd Psalm. It starts out naming who is our Shepherd. Psalms 23:1-6 (KJV) 1 [[A Psalm of David.]] The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

 

My text verse is Psalms 23:3 (KJV) He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. So clearly the word "paths" is plural and not singular. There is more than one path of righteousness. What path are you currently on or being led? We shall start looking at various paths. The Bible says Job was a righteous man. Job 1:1 (KJV) There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name [was] Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. The Lord used him to show Satan about man's choices.

 

Sometimes born again believers are also tested. Job 8:13 (KJV)So [are] the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish: Jobs story tells us that our existence is but a shadow and analyzes what happens to the green herb. The herb or flag needs substance to grow, a medium for roots and water for life. Reflecting on "those who forget God" we find Job 8:20 (KJV) Behold, God will not cast away a perfect [man], neither will he help the evil doers: so back to the paths available to both righteous and evil. Several times Job states his feet were put in stocks. Job 24:13 (KJV) They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof. The Lord speaking to Job states, Job 38:17 (KJV) Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?

 

Additionally, Job 38:20 (KJV) That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths [to] the house thereof? The Lord is stating Job should know the paths. Do you give any thought to the path you are on? Did you ask the Lord to lead you? In the 23rd Psalm we also find the "shadow of death." You know when light from a direct source shines on you that you will cast a shadow? Proverbs 4:18 (KJV) But the path of the just [is] as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. If you are not born again that shadow and one breath is all that separates you from an eternity without Jesus Christ. The Psalmist David says, Psalms 17:3-5 (KJV) 3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited [me] in the night; thou hast tried me, [and] shalt find nothing; I am purposed [that] my mouth shall not transgress. 4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept [me from] the paths of the destroyer. 5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, [that] my footsteps slip not. We find that he purposed "by the Word of thy lips" he will have God choose his path. So a lost or evil man/woman just lives his or her life trusting self to make the choice.

 

The Lord will allow you to make your own decisions, he will not force his way into anybody's life. If you want to change jobs, move to another location, borrow money from a bank or just gain monetary rewards you are free to do so. For instance you move from one state to another. Did you ask the Lord where to move? Is there a KJB preaching church there? What Shepherd is going to feed your soul and what are the costs long term? The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want? What will it cost you to do it yourself? Luke 14:28 (KJV) For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have [sufficient] to finish [it]? Not just a tower but your life. Matthew 16:26 (KJV) For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? A certain man had great wealth, Luke 12:18-20 (KJV) 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, [and] be merry. 20 But God said unto him, [Thou] fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? The Lord says he is going to die after gaining all that substance.

 

Are you like that man? Furthermore, Jeremiah 18:12 (KJV) And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart. A good New Testament example is the Prodigal Son found in Luke. Luke 15:13 (KJV) And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. This son did it his own way. Back in that era it would require a great deal of effort to take what the Father had spent his whole life building, money, cattle, lands and people and then because of his son's choice to sell off or borrow against the Fathers wealth to give the son his share. And this was not even the eldest son who was to inherit first. Finally the outcome of a "choice" was Luke 15:18 (KJV) I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,...and what did the Father do? The Father accepted the lost son back and gave a celebration. Luke 15:32 (KJV) It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. Just like our heavenly Father allows us to make our own choice of which path we take knowing the outcome in advance sees the beginning from the end allows our sin/mistakes and sees the intent of our heart. The son repented and the Father took him back.

 

When was the last time you repented? 1 John 1:9 (KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I have provided several examples of doing life your own way now look at what God desires for you. A woman had a sister and Jesus was there, Luke 10:41-42 (KJV) 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Mary was sitting at Jesus feet and hearing the Word. A path of righteousness. John 14:6 (KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

Are you on the hearing the Word of God path? Romans 10:17 (KJV) So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Are you on a righteous path? Proverbs 11:30 (KJV) The fruit of the righteous [is] a tree of life; and he that winneth souls [is] wise. When was the last time you won anyone to Christ? Are you tithing so others may win the lost? Luke 10:7 (KJV) And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. Are you on the Centurion path? What is that you say. It is a path of believing Gods Word and taking his Word by Faith. The path of Faith. Matthew 8:13 (KJV) And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, [so] be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. The servant was healed based on the Centurions faith. Proverbs tells us there is also several paths of judgment. Proverbs 8:20 (KJV) I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: As you can see there are consequences for your choices.

 

Ultimately, you pay the price whether righteous or evil. As an unbeliever your choice is clear. Keep on living your life and doing things your way and you will end up like the rich man. Luke 16:22-23 (KJV) 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. An eternity to reflect on choices made. Or you can make the choice to surrender your life and allow the Lord,the good Shepherd, to lead you. The reason many reject the Lord is because they think it is too simple. Works will not save you. Baptism will not save you. Only belief and acceptance of the precious blood Jesus shed on the cross will save you. If you want to walk the path of righteousness stop what your doing and call on the Lord Jesus. Romans 10:9-10 (KJV) 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Galatians 2:16 (KJV) Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Titus 3:5 (KJV) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Start out the new day by choosing the correct path. Which way are you traveling? Matthew 7:13 (KJV) Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: The paths of righteousness or the paths of judgment.

Powerful Life Lessons from Psalms

Do you want wisdom? Ask God- James 1:5