Direction For Life

Ordered Steps

Dependent For God’s Direction

Introduction: We come to a Psalm that we can relate to in this time of our countries direction; more specifically, the direction of the hearts of many men.

The conversation the Psalmist has with God reveals how the heart can experience the pendulum swing. His heart goes from exultation in light of God’s truth to great concern, depression and defeat in light of the sins of his enemies.

1) Distance Is Sensed (v132)

A. God is able to see

“Look Thou upon me”

Genesis 1 - “God saw”

Ex. 3:7 “seen the affliction of My people”

Nothing happens that God does not see.

Example: Hagar - “Thou, God, seest me.”

can be a frightening thought if He sees us doing something wrong, but it can be a comforting thought when we are in peril.

B. God is anxious to save

“be merciful unto me”

Why else would God sow His messengers throughout our world in ever generation?

Calvary is a long-standing advertisement of that fact.

Must make it personal.

The only way for us to experience “deliverance,” God must direct us to Himself.

C. God is always the same

“as Thou usest to be merciful unto those that love Thy name.

2) Direction Is Sought (v133)

The message of lordship of the world today is this; Free thinking and free living

The Psalmist wanted no other liberty than that found in the obedience to Christ.

“in thy word”

Quote: He was perfectly satisfied with God’s revelation; he had not so much of it as we have, but there was room enough in it for all his steps: “Order my steps in thy word.” He wanted no greater liberty than the Bible gave him, no wider range than he found in the commands of the Most High. (C.H. Spurgeon)

The hour of making my choices is OVER! I have only one!

Example: like wax under the seal.

In the small and hidden details:

“order my steps”

Godly people desire to be kept right in the little things of life.

Speaking of the ordinary daily life:

Some jump to claim goodness over one’s life. Yet they scream at their kids and spouse???

Lord help me turn my common action into actions that glorify You.

“Let no iniquity”

Some people have what is called “pet sins” ( out with you and you, but you can stay)

We often hid behind the saying, “that is just my besetting sin.” (Stop going that direction then!)

The Psalmist is fearful on the smallest evil!

Illustration: a small unnoticed leak in a ship will ultimately sink the ship.

The overcoming life and the obedient life always go together.

God gives the orders; we supply the obedience.

3) The Darkness is Scattered (vv134-135)

There will always be the oppression of sinful men and leaders.

Those who’s purpose seems to cast a thick cloud between us and the sun.

The last thing the devil wants is for any one family to live on the bedrock of the gospel.

The Psalmist was in a position where he was limited to obeying all of God’s precepts (maybe in prison, etc)

“Make thy face shine”

Just as freeing you felt the moment you “looked unto Jesus” by faith and became His child, so does looking unto Jesus brighten your heart while you are facing the darkness.

Illustration: As the sun of the solar system never stops shinning, neither does the Son who created the universe ever stop smiling upon us!

Illustration: Even when the axis of the earth spins us from day to night, the sun never stops shinning. (the natural laws)

4) Burdened For Others (they need direction) (v136)

Let us notice the Psalmist heart for those who are around him living in sin.

He feels sorry for them, since they are men like himself. But they are lost; they need God.

Illustration: He prays as Jesus prayed when men hammered His hands to the tree, as Stephen prayed when men took up rocks to stone him.

Quote: “Sin has ploughed this planet with sorrow. It has planted every graveyard, it has made necessary every hospital, it has built every prison, every psychiatric institution, every slum. Were it not for sin we could disband our armies, dissolve our police forces, open our prisons, dismiss our legislators, unlock our doors. As Jesus looked at the ravages of sin He wept. (John Phillips)

Conclusion: So, where would you be without the direction of God? Every sense of salvation would not be attainable. You would only have the option of living in your darkness, depression, anxieties and purposelessness. However, that is not the world we live in today! God has sent His Spirit, distributed and preserved His inspired Word.