The Narrow Path

We come to verse Psalm 119:38 and we see the reminder,“confirm to your servant your promise that you may be feared.” The word for confirm is “to say,” tell me your promises God…tell me your promises so that you can be feared.

Two things:

(1) the promises would be the entire Word of God as a whole, and

(2) the fear is both fear to go back, but also fear as in awe…it takes both to stay in the way.

The past judgments of God are present day reminders of why we need to stay on the path, but the present promises leave us in awe as we seek to stay with Him…His beauty keeps us from the worthless things and the selfish gain.

Verse 39 shows us asking him for the trust to trust God, “Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good.” Reproach could be seen as disgrace—disgrace from sin. Is he dreading not finishing well? Do you think about that? I think about it all of the time…I want to finish strong. It could also be the disgrace that comes from the enemy—the scorn and contempt of verse 22 that comes from walking in God’s way. Don’t dread what man can do…dread only what God will do if you are not faithful. Trust His judgments and pay no attention to man’s.

Finally, we come to the last verse, “Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!” Here is the answer…God has answered his prayer in verse 36—he longs for God’s Word and seeks His righteousness.

Jesus never left a person in his current condition and considered him a follower. He always called him out of where he was and to His way. He hasn’t changed.

He is calling us out of the world and to His kingdom.

He is calling us off of the path in which we were born upon, and He is calling us to His path…the narrow path, which comes from the narrow gate, and the few that are upon it are recognizable…they are the ones carrying their cross, denying themselves, and following Jesus.