Psalm 119:5 O that my ways were directed to keep your statutes! I. THE PRAYER OF OUR TEXT RISES UP FROM MANY HEARTS. 1. From even the careless and the worldling. They, not seldom, have to eat of the fruit of their own ways, and it is nauseous to their taste. They often realize how wrong they are, and then there rises up from their hearts such prayer as this. Only, alas! these desires fade away so soon. 2. From the beginner in the Divine Life - the newly regenerate. This is the holy, healthy appetite of such a soul. Not alone desire for being saved from hell or admitted to heaven, but to be made like God, and so, well-pleasing to him. 3. The backslider. No more miserable soul can live on the earth than the backslider. Again and again is he made conscious of his wretched folly in leaving the ways of God, and he mourns and yearns for the better way. It is God who will not lightly let them go: it is his call; let such listen to it and obey, and that at once. Then this good desire may be as the slender thread which draws up the cord to the prisoner in the dungeon, and that the trusty rope whereby escape is gained. So this desire, if well used, may draw to you other gifts of God's grace, and they yet more, and so, blessed deliverance shall be yours. 4. The earnest believer. For he sees defects in himself where others do not, and is conscious of failure where others only praise his goodness. But he has an ideal, a vision of God, after which he is forever punting, and hence this prayer, "Oh that my ways were directed," etc.! II. THE REASON OF THIS. 1. It is the way in which Christ walked. Every place where he has been is invested with a charm and delight to those who love him. "Those holy fields, Over whose acres walked those blessed feet." How many love to walk there likewise! But it is not many who can do this literally; yet in the holy ways of love to God, and obedience and faith, in which he ever walked, we may walk if we will. 2. It is the way for which we were designed. Nothing works well in that for which it was not intended. The delicate instruments of the mathematician will not serve for the coarse work of the artisan. And so with man's nature - it is made for God, and in his obedience finds its real welfare. 3. It is the way of peace. 4. And of eternal life. III. BUT FOR THIS WE NEED GOD'S DIRECTION. - S.C. Parallel Verses KJV: O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! |
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