Psalm 85:13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps. I. THE ESSENTIAL STEPS OF THE LORD'S DEALINGS WITH US. The first thing in God's dealing towards us is that He gives His well-beloved Son; and the first thing in His manifestation of Himself to us is to open our eyes to see our need of this, and thus to bring us into the same way, the way of His steps. The next step in a way of detail as given in this psalm is that of forgiveness. The steps now described in a way of detail naturally follow. "Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of Thy people." That is one of the sweetest features of the Gospel. "Thou hast covered all their sin." Here is Satan's universal and entire defeat, seeing He has covered all their sins; and "who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?" Is not this a step in loving-kindness, is not this a step of grace, is not this an infinitely and an eternally advantageous step, — thus to receive Christ Jesus as to receive the forgiveness of sins? II. THE REASONS WHY THE LORD SETTETH US IN THE WAY OF HIS STEPS. 1. That we may be supported when we fall into tribulations, adversities, and trials. If some of you are so placed at present that you may not exactly feel in your minds the force of this reason, you will before you die, because trouble is the lot of us all, affliction is the lot of us all, and the Lord brings us into His steps that we may be with Him, and be supported. 2. That He might foreshow us what we should do under difficult and trying circumstances. See Daniel in the lions' den; see Mordecai. The Lord doth in ten thousand ways stir up His children, give them the spirit of prayer, make them look to Him to deliver them from their troubles; thus they shall escape ten thousand evils that they must have been entangled fatally by but for the reigning grace, power, and interposition of the blessed God. 3. The Lord keeps His people with Himself that they may be like Him. (James Wells.). Parallel Verses KJV: Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.WEB: Righteousness goes before him, And prepares the way for his steps. A Prayer by David. |
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