BLESSED IN ALL YOUR WAYS

“BLESSED are the undefiled in the WAY, who walk in the law of the LORD” – Psalm 119: 1

God is absolutely concerned with the WAYS we take in life, and is determined that we be BLESSED in ALL our WAYS: “BLESSED are the undefiled in the WAY, who walk in the law of the LORD” (v.1). The psalmist went on to pray: “Oh, that MY WAYS were directed to keep Your statutes! Then I would not be ashamed…” (v.5-6a). Ways are very important to the Lord, in terms of whether they are right, bright or properly directed. Wrong ways, dark ways, and missed ways can lead to regret, disaster, and destruction: “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its ends is the way of death” (Pro.14:12; 16:25). God will always bless whoever walks in His ways: “Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways” (Psa.128:1). God will make their life-paths “ways of pleasantness” (Pro.3:17a). Indeed, “When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Pro.16:7). Ultimately, JESUS is the Way (Jh.14:6)

The central theme of Psalm 119 is how to live a fulfilled life and have a healthy heart, through celebrating God’s law and all the good that comes from keeping it. Life is here represented by the image of a journey. God is saying, “Blessed are the undefiled in the way”! The metaphor “the way” means either: the course of life or the way of the Lord. In other words, “Blessed is the person whose life is the practical transcript of the will of God.” Such a person pursues the path of purity along life’s journey; walks sincerely, stainless and uncontaminated along the royal route that leads to heaven. Lovers of God’s holy Words are blessed by being preserved from defilement, because they are made practically holy, and are led to follow after God sincerely and intensely (vv.1-3). This holy calling is desirable because God commands it (v.4). Therefore, the pious soul prays for this pure walk in the Way (v.5).

The phrase, “Blessed are the…,” “Blessed are those” or “Blessed is the man…” appears a number of times in the Psalms (1:1; 34:8; 40:4; 84:4; 106:3; 112:1) and Proverbs (3:13; 8:32; 14:21; 16:20; 29:18). It also forms the basis for the beatitudes in Matthew 5. Throughout Scriptures, the phrase functions simultaneously to encourage the righteous and to call for those who are not living righteously to change their ways. Psalm 119 is no exception. The Psalmist counsels that true happiness comes to those whose whole heart and mind is completely dedicated to understanding God’s Word. Happy and fulfilled is the person whose course of life is directed and governed by single-hearted devotion to the Lord God, and integrity in dealing with fellow beings: “He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart” (Psa.15:2).

Here are few additional examples of God’s assurances concerning our ways:

 “You will also declare a thing, and it will established for you; so light will shine ON YOUR WAYS” (Job 22:28). As I declare all that God has spoken about me in His Word, His eternal Light is illuminating and shining on my ways. I shall never stumble or fall.

“For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in ALL YOUR WAYS” (Psa.91:11). God has commanded His angels to keep, guard, and minister to me in all my ways. I am blessed in all my ways: all of my assignments and endeavours in life.

 “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “THIS IS THE WAY, walk in it, when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left (Is.30:21). God’s Word will always guide me in “The Way”! I will never be in confusion, deception or frustration.

Beloved, we are blessed in all our ways when we walk in the Way of the Word! This is the key to happiness, fulfilment, and genuine blessedness. God’s Word guides and sustains all those who attend to it diligently. By His Grace, that’s what I am determined to do!