The Wonderful Way
God ushers us into a love for His Word. Only a child of God can say, “Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore, my soul observes them (Psalm 119:129).” Grace compels the saint to see the better way of the Lord, so as to desire it above all else. The beauty and glory of Christ, who is the Way (Jn 14:6), remains the wonderful, albeit, narrow path (Mt 7:13–14). We must have no other gods before Him (Ex 20:3).
Walking with Jesus in His way, He shows us more and more of His glory, so that we can see, “The unfolding of Thy Words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple (Ps 119:130).” With every step we have His lamp to illumine us (119:105) and His Spirit to guide us (Prv 3:5–6; Jn 16:13).
A few of Christ’s sheep are intelligent, a few are of noble birth, but the simple are made wise under His tutelage. It is not required of us to aspire to great heights in the world or even in the church. Many have lost their way there, having become dizzy with delusions of self-aggrandizement. It is far better to live in the valley of obscurity, having time to spend with Jesus. David valued this above fine gold (119:127), but we must remember that this man of God was at his best while writing in a cave, on the run from King Saul. Despise not the day of small things (Zech 4:10).
In his time and place of need, David knew that only God could satisfy him, “I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for Thy commandments (119:131).” Satisfaction from the world is a cheap substitute and temporary. The devil only entices enough to allure, then, there is enslavement, addiction, and finally, destruction. Only the pure Word of God is safe and nourishing for the soul. Its diet is the recipe for contentment.
There is a way, in which a good father will interact with his children. He remembers that each one of them is a gift from God (Ps 127:3). He serves them, in order to have influence upon them, to teach them the right way. His gives them good gifts in proper measure. Therefore, when his child is exposed to some evil, he runs to his father, “Turn to me and be gracious to me, after Thy manner with those who love Thy Name (119:132).”
God is working to develop each child into conformity to the image of Jesus Christ (Rom 8:29). Sheep wander, but the Good Shepherd knows their state (Jn 10). He visits them and speaks to them. The simple made wise then see the danger of their self-guidance. Light has come for them, and their request is made known, “Establish my footsteps in Thy Word, and do not let any iniquity have dominion over me (119:133).”
Satan’s domain is darkness (Jn 3:19; Col 1:13), and his dominion is sin (Acts 26:18; Rom 6:14). His ambition is to enslave men and reign over them (Rom 5:21). His minions love the twisted way. They are despots, and deception is their course. Their intentions are only evil all the time (Gen 6:5). The weary cry out, “Redeem me from the oppression of man that I may keep Thy precepts (119:134).”
There is only one Redeemer, and that is Jesus Christ, our Lord (Jer 50:34). His name and His words to us are wonderful. He has paid the redemption price for His church (Eph 5:25; 1 Pet 2:24), the Israel of God (Gal 6:16). The Lord judges the wicked, while He delivers His beloved (Titus 3:5). Obedience is now a labor of love, from a heart of love that has received love (1 Jn 4:19).
God pours out His love into the heart of his elect (Rom 5:5), and a new request is made, “Make Thy face shine upon Thy servant, and teach me Thy statutes (119:135).” The Spirit of Christ is our Teacher (Jn 14:26). The Word of Christ is the subject of our lesson (Rom 10:17). When the child of God is sitting under this combination of Spirit and Word, she is blessed. Like one who tans herself to a golden glow, by receipt of the summer rays of sun, so is the Christian looking into the face of Christ, on the pages of Scripture. She shines because He shines (Is 60:1).
When the believer surveys the wondrous cross, she looks anew at those in the world around her. A heart filled with God’s love will produce compassion, and the fear of the Lord will rise, “My eyes shed streams of water because they do not keep Thy Law (119:136).”
How wonderful is His Word? How pleasant is the Light? What bliss is there to know His love? What desire there is to be holy, to walk in obedience? The red dawn of early morning light exposes the storm clouds and lightning strikes. Looming is the Day of the Lord, and yet, men will not repent. Therefore, the redeemed of the Lord doth speak warning and wish to be winsome.
Consider the goodness and severity of our God! He is a righteous Judge, and all of His judgments are just. The creature is vain to judge his Creator. Who is the guilty party in this dispute? Creature repent (Acts 17:30)! Come to Him, now (Mt 11:28).
Christian, make your request for grace, for guidance, for God Himself known to the Lord in prayer. He will answer you with His sure Word of deliverance, presence, and protection. Only He can satisfy. He is the wonderful way, revealed in His wonderful Word.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
September 1, 2022
