Dear Missionary Lady,
Greetings in the name of the Great Guide. David expounds this truth about God for us, that “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
While David was often guided in decisions (either directly by God or through prophets), I believe he is speaking here of a deeper guidance. This is not simply guidance about daily plans, but about guidance in an overall direction of life. This is about walking the straight and narrow way, living a life of integrity that is worthy of a follower of God. God gives this kind of guidance, because it matters to God how His children live. When they fail to walk uprightly, God’s name is tarnished, but when they do walk uprightly, God’s name is exalted. Nevertheless, God does guide His children while they are walking the paths of righteousness, meaning that He does guide them in daily plans and decisions as they walk the more fundamental path of integrity.
There is no doubt that God guided David in plans and decisions. Through the prophet Gad, God instructed David to leave the stronghold where he was staying (I Sam. 22:5). In response to a series of three prayers, God instructed David to attack the Philistines, to deliver Keilah, and that those of Keilah would betray him (I Sam. 23:2,4,12). Through dissension among the Philistines, God sent David out of a situation of conflict (I Sam. 29:3,6-7). After prayer, God instructed David to pursue his enemies (I Sam. 30:8). After prayer, God instructed David to return to Judah, specifically to Hebron (II Sam. 2:1). After prayer, God instructed David to fight the Philistines, and God even supplied the battle plan (II Sam. 5:19,23; I Chr. 14:10,14). After David shared with the prophet Nathan his desire to build a temple, God responded through Nathan that this was not a job for David (I Chr. 17:1-4). It is interesting to note that much of this circumstantial guidance was in direct response to David’s prayers. David wanted to know God’s desire, and he wanted to make choices directed by God. God honored David’s prayers and heart desire by responding with guidance when David prayed for it.
While the narrative passages focus on guidance in decision-making, the passages in the psalms overwhelmingly focus on guidance for living a life of integrity. David acknowledges that God is able to give this guidance because of who God is. God will guide in the paths of righteousness because God Himself is committed to righteousness. “For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right” (Ps. 9:4). God will guide in the paths of righteousness for His own name’s sake. “For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me” (Ps. 31:3). God can guide in the paths of righteousness because He know everything about where His children are. “Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways” (Ps. 139:3).
This knowledge of God’s character leads logically to confidence that God will lead in the paths of righteousness. David had no doubt about this. He was fully assured that God would lead him in the path of life. “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16:11). David knew that his path was not random, but was carefully overseen by God. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way” (Ps. 37:23). David even had a direct promise from God that He would lead him in the right and appropriate path. “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye” (Ps. 32:8).
Even with his confidence in God’s guidance, David fervently prayed for God’s leading. The narrative passages repeatedly related David’s prayers for daily guidance in decisions, but David was just as careful (if not more so) to pray for guidance in living in the way of righteousness. “Hold up my doings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not” (Ps. 17:5). “For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?” (Ps. 56:13). He equates God’s way with walking in His truth and fearing God. “Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name” (Ps. 86:11). He asked God to teach him these ways of truth; in spite of the great amount of truth that David already knew, he still recognized his remaining ignorance. “Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. What man is he that feareth the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way that he shall choose” (Ps. 25:4-5,12). It was God who must give this critical teaching. “Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee” (Ps. 143:8).
One reason David needed God to lead him in the ways of righteousness was because of the enemies he faced. This probably involved the temptation to fall under the pressure and also the required maturity to live under the challenges. “Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face” (Ps. 5:8). David also needed God’s guidance because of his own sinfulness, which he asked God to reveal to him so that he could walk properly in the paths of righteousness. “And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Ps. 139:24). He particularly asked for help regarding his speech, his heart desires, and his attraction to a life of pleasure. “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties” (Ps. 141:3-4).
In the end (and along the way), David was able to give testimony to the fact that God had led him in the right paths. “My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD” (Ps. 26:12). God deserved all the credit for David’s firm footing. “He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places” (Ps. 18:33). “Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip” (Ps. 18:36). “And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room” (Ps. 31:8). The narrative passages also confirm that God helped David in his path. “And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went” (II Sam 8:14). “And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel” (I Chr. 11:2).
Before he died, David was compelled to admonish the next generation regarding the importance of walking in the paths of righteousness. He instructed Solomon and other leaders. “Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfill the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of a good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed. … Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD” (I Chr. 22:13,19).
Walking uprightly and with integrity in the paths of righteousness was extremely important to David, both in daily decisions and in the broader spectrum of a godly lifestyle. His frequent and fervent prayers evidence how much he needed God’s guidance. He knew his righteous God was able to guide him; he both anticipated such guidance and gave testimony to it.
What an example for us to seek God diligently so that we can live in a manner worthy of our righteous God! May God guide you in the decisions of life, and may He also guide you in a constantly more faithful walk with Him.
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
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