Stay on the Path that is Well Lit

This post’s passage reference: Psalm 119:37-41

I listen to a radio station where they have this thing called a “30 day challenge.” The challenge for listeners is to listen only to this station for 30 days—no television programs, no news, no social media, only the encouraging, uplifting programming from the radio station. They want you to see how much your life can change if you only put positive and encouraging programming into your life, for just 30 days. The station is uplifting and is filled with music, testimonies and stories that honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The radio personalities are fun to listen to. It is a positive experience.  The 30 day challenge this time came right before my mom passed away and I was already listening to the station. I had pretty much cut out most television, social media and podcast kind of stuff—mainly because I was concentrating my time on caring for mom. Most things negative I tried to cut out of our lives. I concentrated on looking toward the positive things I could bring in to strengthen both of us spiritually and away from things that would be useless to us. 

In Psalm 119:37-41, we see the psalmist looking toward God, desiring God’s help to turn his eyes away from those things that are bad or not useful or not profitable for him.

In verses 30-36, we see the psalmist’s desire was to keep his eyes, ears and heart on the Master Teacher and listen to what He was teaching. When we get to verse 37, he is asking God to help him keep his eyes focused on the things he needs to, and away from things that are worthless to his spiritual walk. The things that make his heart swell with devotion to God are the things he wants to concentrate on. He wants God’s Word to be front and center within his heart because of his reverence and devotion to Him. 

If this is David writing this Psalm, he knows the ways he has sinned and the times he has wandered away from the path of God. He prays that God will uphold him, as He has turned from his sin and is whole heartedly trying to follow God’s laws. His hope is that those past sins will not be able to be used against him. He longs after God’s precepts and prays that God’s righteousness will flow through him and permeate his soul. His hope is in the mercies of God abiding with him and the promised salvation of God coming to him. 

For David, the music of the Psalms were a big part of this. Knowing how good, soothing music makes me feel stronger, I can see why David surrounded himself with music to help him draw closer to God. 

What is the challenge for us, as believers of Christ, within this passage? In our modern, technology-driven society, where it is all about seeing the next thing, the challenge could be to keep our eyes focused on things of value.  David Guzik writes,”Many lives are wasted because people find themselves unwilling or unable to turn away their eyes from worthless things. The modern world with its media and entertainment technology brings before us an endless river of worthless things to occupy not only our eyes and time, but also our heart and minds.”* I read recently that the longer we gaze, stare or contemplate something that is grotesque, the less grotesque it becomes in our eyes. Could that be our challenge? Do not allow our eyes to rest on evil long enough that it seems beautiful to us. 

How can we apply this passage to our lives? We should keep the study of God’s Word at the top of our priority list. It should hold preference over the worldly television and films we watch, books and magazines we read, social media platforms and celebrities we follow and things—our possessions—we desire in this life. It is important to keep our eyes focused on the eternal goal and stay on the path. “‘Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity.’ From gazing at the delusive mirages which tempt the pilgrim to leave the safe highway.” —John Morison

What does this mean to my faith? My faith is strengthened when I read in God’s Word that He has not left me alone out here in this strange land to navigate the insanity. I am not expected to make it on my own.  God will instruct me with His Word when I am faithful and take the time to study it. He will lead me with His Holy Spirit when I open up my life to His presence. Lastly, God will provide my final salvation through His Son. Jesus Christ. I am not alone and you are not alone…unless we choose that road. 

Lord, I thank You for Your Word and for the gift of the Holy Spirit to help me understand it as I go along. Help me to make Your Word my preference over television and films, secular books and magazines, social media platforms and any possessions that I might put before You. Lead me and help me keep my eyes focused on the eternal goal and  keep me on the path.…the path that is well lit and leads to You!

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“37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. 38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. 39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. 40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness. 41 Let thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation, according to thy word.” Psalm 119:37-41 (KJV)

“Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.” Proverbs 4:25 (KJV)

“He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.” Psalm 145:19 (KJV)

“Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.” Psalm 39:8 (KJV)

“O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! 20 My soul breaketh for the longing unto thy judgments at all times.” Psalm 119:5,20 (KJV)

“Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness [is] good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.” Psalm 69:16 (KJV)

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I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about my Jesus.  

What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe?  Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him?  You can know Him.  Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity.  You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.  

Here is an excellent website that can give you additional information about making your decision for Jesus Christ!  PeaceWithGod.net

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Blog Image by Joe from Pixabay

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* Blue Letter Bible Online, Commentaries — David Guzik, Study Guide for Psalm 119