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Psalm 25:4 - True Delights!

Psalm 25:4 - True Delights!

Psalm 25:4 (NKJV) Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your 
paths.  

Psalm 25:4 (NIV) Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths.

This psalm is helpful when you are making decisions and seeking 
God's will. What kind of people does God guide? 
*	Those who glorify Him (1-2). 
*	Those who wait (3). 
*	Those who ask (4-5). 
*	Those who are clean (6-7, 16-22). 
*	Those who submit (8-15). [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary 
by Warren Wiersbe] 

   Thomas A Kempis heard the argument that giving in to 
temptation has its plus side. He grappled with the question, What about 
those who find pleasure and delight when they give in to temptation? 
   He admitted they do find pleasure but countered: "How long 
does it last? It is like smoke--it vanishes quickly. Soon even the 
memory is gone. They will never find rest, and they will live in 
bitterness and weariness and fear." 
   Examples of the downside of temptation quickly come to mind. 
Giving in to the temptation to cheat on one's spouse creates waves of 
anger and feelings of betrayal--and families are shattered. Pilfering 
"just a little" of the unguarded money at work can destroy not just 
one life but many. In today's culture, cheating and all sorts of 
"recreational" pleasures are viewed as grabbing life's gusto, but the gusto, 
before long, turns rancid. 
   Thomas a Kempis writes, "The very thing they think will bring 
them joy will bring them sorrow; that which they think will bring 
them pleasure will bring them pain." He recognizes they may be blind 
to their own misery and numbness, unaware that "their souls are 
slowly dying." 
   How do we recognize temptation? When we sense that what we're 
tempted to do will quench the Holy Spirit within us. To resist, we can 
invite the Holy Spirit to empower us. 
   Thomas a Kempis adds that if we want true delight, we need to 
stop loving the wrong things and persevere in resisting bad habits. 
Over time, we will vanquish them. "Then you will find consolations 
from God much more sweet and potent." 
   Heavenly Father, you know so well the temptations I struggle 
against. Take up the battle for me, I pray. May your Holy Spirit create 
in me the energy and power to embrace your will and your delights. 
   Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to 
follow. Psalm 25:4 NLT [The One Year Book of Encouragement by Harold 
Myra] 

   E. Stanley Jones tells the story of a missionary who became 
lost in an African jungle. Looking around, he saw nothing but bush 
and a few clearings. He stumbled about until he finally came across 
a native hut. He asked one of the natives if he could lead him out 
of the jungle and back to the mission station. The native agreed to 
help him. 
   "Thank you!" exclaimed the missionary. "Which way do I go?" 
The native replied, "Walk." And so they did, hacking their way 
through the unmarked jungle for more than an hour. 
   Pausing to rest, the missionary looked around and had the 
same overwhelming sense that he was lost. All he saw was bush, and a 
few clearings. "Are you quite sure this is the way?" he asked. "I 
don't see any path." 
   The native looked at him and replied, "Bwana, in this place 
there is no path. I am the path." 
   When we have no clues, we must remember that God Who guides 
us is omniscient--all wise. When we run out of time, we must 
remember that God is omnipresent--all time is in His hand. When we are 
weak, we must remember that God is omnipotent--all power belongs to 
Him. [God's Little Devotional Bible] 

The meek are guided by the Lord, because they are teachable, 
willing to be instructed. They have a sincere desire to know and to do 
the will of God.... But His promise is only to those who are willing 
to follow the Lord wholly. God does not force the will of any; 
hence He cannot lead those who are too proud to be taught, who are 
bent upon having their own way. {PP 384}  

God does not guide rebels, but He joyfully leads those who fear 
Him and submit to His will (Ps. 32:8-9). Keep your eyes on the Lord 
and let Him have His way, He knows where He is going and what He is 
doing, so follow Him by faith. [Warren Wiersbe] 

SPECIAL LINK:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiXKxcGQgJE