Introductory Thoughts
The last few lessons revealed how equity should always be linked to judgment. The passage today reiterates this truth, suggesting that righteousness, judgment, and equity are not only closely associated, but inseparable. Verse 8 reveals that it is the Lord who “keepeth the paths of judgment.” Verse 9 points out that righteousness, judgment, and equity are said to be the “good” paths. These good paths stand in stark contrast to those paths that seem right to the world, but in the end are “the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12; Proverbs 16:25).The saint of God has a clear choice. He can do things his own way resulting in an untimely death, or he can follow after God’s plan and find that God “preserveth the way of his saints.” The choice is simple: choose God’s good path and not the well trodden path travelled by the world. God’s plan or path is for a man to judge with righteousness and equity.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): If the lights went out in your house, how would a flashlight help you not to stumble or trip over things? Psalm 119:105 tells us that God's word shows us the good path in life (how to have the right relationship with the Lord and with others, along with how to get to heaven and how to stay on the right path).
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(For everyone): Are you stubborn when shown the error of your ways? Do you find that you insist on doing things your own way? Do you frequently struggle to follow the good path revealed by God in His word?
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Is your judgment based on righteousness and equity? If your judgment is not characterized by these traits, you are no different than those in the world who judge based on wicked biases.
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask God to give you light to follow the good path and never presume upon the goodness and grace of God.
- Ask God to show you the importance of sound judgment during your decision-making process.
Song
WHO WOULD TRUE VALOUR SEE
