Looking for Ancient Paths

As we dig into Psalm 119:33-40 we find the writer coming to the source in verse 33, but look at verse 34 and see his application, “Give me understanding, that I may keep your law, and observe it with my whole heart.” I want to know your way and I want to understand how to apply it to my life. Do you want that knowledge? It is the idea we find in Jeremiah 6:16, “Thus says the LORD: stand by the roads and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it and find rest for your souls.”

He is asking God for the ancient paths, the ones walked by the saints that have gone on before us...we don’t need new and clever ways to God…we need the ancient paths laid out for us by God in His Word.

Then in verse 35 he asks for the strength to go, “Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.” I love this—teach me your way, make me understand it, and lead me in the path…teach me, for I can’t see it; make me understand it, for I’m bound in this world; and then lead me because even when you show me I still can’t be trusted to walk it. I need your strength to do it.

He doesn’t stop there—in verse 36 we see his desire,“Incline my heart to your testimonies and not to selfish gain.” Verse 35 is a prayer for God to lead him and now he prays for God to make him willing to go when He leads him. He knows his heart and he knows his heart is naturally not for the things of God—it is deceitful above all things and desperately sick…so he asks God to change his heart. What a great prayer! What an incredible request…teach me your way, give me understanding of that way, lead me in the way, and make my heart want your way! Do you see how absolutely God centered this is! This wouldn’t make it on the self-help book section because self can’t do it…this is a God thing that God must do.

It is interesting that the first four verses of this stanza had to do with a focus on instruction that results in obedience, but the next four will have to do with a focus on deliverance from those things that would keep him from obedience. Let me show you what I mean.

He moves on and seeks the discipline needed in verse 37, “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things and give me life in your ways.” You know why he asks for this? He knows that as soon as he tries to walk God’s path…the enemy is going to try to allure him with the things of the world. In Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian and Faithful come to Vanity Fair which was set up by Satan to try to divert people from the narrow way. Bunyan has them covering their ears and crying out to God, “Turn my eyes from worthless things.”

Some of those things are good in and of themselves, but they are terrible gods…God will often allow suffering in our lives to get our eyes off of these things and back onto to Him. This is the discipline that centers in the Holy Spirit’s power. I love what the Psalmist is doing…he is covering his tracks…asking God for all that is necessary for him to follow God.

Teach me your way, make me understand your ways so I can apply them, lead me in your ways, change my heart and make me desire your way so I can walk in them with delight, and then God turn my eyes from worthless things, so I will keep my eyes on you as I walk your way.

We will pick up here, but don’t just read this…apply it!