The Paths of the Lord

“He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.” (Psalm 25:9-10)

Beloved,

              In 1875 on Christmas Eve, Ira Sankey was traveling on a steamboat on the Delaware River when he was approached by some passengers to sing. After he finished singing William Bradbury’s “Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us,” a man approached him and asked about his time in the War.

"Did you ever serve in the Union Army?" "Yes," Mr. Sankey answered, "in the spring of 1860." Can you remember if you were doing picket duty on a bright, moonlit night in 1862?" "Yes," Mr. Sankey answered, very much surprised. "So did I, but I was serving in the Confederate army. When I saw you standing at your post, I thought to myself, 'That fellow will never get away alive.'

I raised my musket and took aim. I was standing in the shadow, completely concealed, while the full light of the moon was falling upon you. At that instant, just as a moment ago, you raised your eyes to heaven and began to sing...'Let him sing his song to the end,' I said to myself, 'I can shoot him afterwards. He's my victim at all events, and my bullet cannot miss him.' But the song you sang then was the song you sang just now. I heard the words perfectly: 'We are Thine; do Thou befriend us. Be the Guardian of our way.'

Those words stirred up many memories. I began to think of my childhood and my God-fearing mother. She had many times sung that song to me. When you had finished your song, it was impossible for me to take aim again. I thought, 'The Lord who is able to save that man from certain death must surely be great and mighty.' And my arm of its own accord dropped limp at my side.

Beloved, all the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and righteousness. The Lord guides and teaches the humble in his way.

We can never fully realize what the Lord is doing in our lives at any given moment. We can never know how God will use our cancer, our job loss or our family trouble, but we know that all the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and righteousness. He will fulfill His purposes for us (Psalm 57:2).

What he does in our individual lives, he also does in our corporate body. The paths of the Lord for Park Baptist Church are steadfast love and righteousness. We may not understand why things happen in our fellowship, but we can trust that God will be moving in and through us to fulfill His good purposes for our church. He is a kind, gracious, and loving God.

God may allow others to “raise their muskets” at us, but the Lord is able to save us from certain death. We will never know how many times God has caused the arms of the evil one to fall limp at its side or how he used the evil to fulfill his good purposes for us until we see him in glory. The paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness to those who love him and keep his covenant. “O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trust in you!” (Psalm 84:12) Beloved, trust that whatever happens in our congregation that God will bless us as we trust in Him.