Psalm 25:12 - March 16, 2009

Ps. 25:12 "Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him." NIV

In this portion of psalm 25 the theme shifts from God’s kind instruction of the sinner to an invitation to a higher place. Yes it is wonderful that our sins are readily forgiven and yes it is comforting to know that in our weakness and failures God is there to pick us up and train us so that we might find a place of victory but in this verse David begins to unveil how much better it is for those who live in the fear of the Lord. For those whose lives are shaped by a holy fear of God that keeps us from drifting into evil and compromise there is a relationship with God available that is much sweeter, much deeper than to walk through a continual cycle
of failure, forgiveness and redemption.
In verse 12 David calls to us with an invitation to intimacy!
David uses this next set of verses to show forth the nature of the relationship that develops between the Lord and those who keep themselves in the fear of the Lord. “He will instruct him in the way chosen for him,” this is the first glimpse of the deeper life that flows out of purity. David makes it clear that there is a path that the Lord has chosen for each of us. The implication however, is that it is a voluntary path and it is our responsibility to choose it or reject it. David’s comments make it clear that the Lord does not even reveal his chosen path to those who do not fear him.
It is important to understand part of the Lord’s heart in withholding this revelation from those who do not fear him. To know the will of God and reject it is an even greater sin than to be ignorant and continue on your way. One is the sin of neglect the other is the sin of disobedience. If God were to reveal to us the path he has chosen for us, knowing that we are not interested in following, then our accountability and judgment is even greater. Because of this, in many instances, God in his mercy reserves the knowledge of his desired path for our lives to be known only by those who seek it out. For those who have not the revelation of the fear of the Lord he continues to reach to us to win over our stubborn hearts and bring us to the place of desiring that higher way rather than the path of self will. But for those who fear the Lord there is a personal, specific, plan that God is waiting to lead us into. Let us live in the fear of the Lord and the light of his will.