“Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!” Psalm 119:1-3 ESV
Jesus said ““Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13-14 ESV
Reflection: how can we know we are on the “narrow road” Jesus talked about?
It is perhaps the oldest question – what is right, and what is wrong, as the devil tempted Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit, “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”” Genesis 3:5 ESV. Because, in most situations in life, we seem to have all sorts of options in “shades of gray”. This is why we sometimes struggle with what is true, what is right, what is good, etc. And, without the correct reference to many of life’s situations, it is pretty easy to pick one of the gray options. We have seen so many churches and people making compromises with the world. Because, the gray options might feel good in the moment. They might offer us some immediate benefits. They might even provide a cover for something we don’t want to draw attention to, that we are ashamed of. So,
what then is the narrow road?
Psalm 119, the longest of all the psalms for a reason, is another one of the “alphabet” psalms. The first group of stances, v1-8, is for the first symbol of the Hebrew alphabet; the second group, v9-16 for the second symbol, etc. It was written this way, to make it much easier to study, to memorize and to remember. And, that is part of the purpose of the psalm; to memorize it. To reflect on it. Because, it is a prayer about finding and staying on the narrow road. We see in the opening verses this focus, “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!” Psalm 119:1-3 ESV
The reference of following the right way and path, is mentioned eight times in the first 16 verses. And, the way, the path is always the same – the law, the precepts, the statutes of the Lord. “You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!” Psalm 119:4-5 ESV. And, you might wonder, what specifically are these laws, precepts, statutes of the Lord? And, didn’t Jesus give us freedom from the Law?
This is pretty tricky to understand.
Paul explains, “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” Romans 3:21-24 ESV. We are made righteous before God through the work of Christ. So following God’s law is not for the purpose of earning righteousness. It is for rejecting our own blinded ways, which led us to destruction, and instead following God’s ways leading to life. We demonstrate our love for our Father God through walking on His ways. Because,
His ways are so much better.
So we have to give up our own selfish ways, as we are so easily manipulated and led astray by all the evil in this world. Not compromise with what God has given. The psalmist was near death following his own ways, “My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes! Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works. My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law! I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame! I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!” Psalm 119:25-32 ESV. Notice the psalmist had to “confess his ways”. He saw the error in his own ways, and therefore understood that the Lord’s ways are so much better, “teach me your statutes! Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works”. It is
the narrow road that leads to life, It is following God’s law.
So, although Jesus atoned for our sins, we must still follow God’s law. Because the simple road, the wide road, leads to destruction. Let’s study God’s law, meditate on His ways and pray with the psalmist “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Psalm 119:18 ESV