Lesson 246 - Junior

Memory Verse

"All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant"  (Psalm 25:10).

Notes

Blessings

There are some good and pleasant things in life that are enjoyed by both the righteous and the unrighteous. God permits all to enjoy His creation and handiwork. Many people receive a blessing and inspiration when they gaze upon a beautiful scene of the mountains, the waters, the snowfall, the desert, or the colors of the sky. Some people are thrilled to see a wild animal or a wild flower in its natural surroundings. Many people who have no thought of God are prosperous, successful, healthy, and happy as far as the things of the world are concerned. They partake of the things that God has prepared for men, such as air, sunshine, food, water, and the materials that are necessary for comfortable living. All these are blessings which people receive every day. But there are some special blessings that God has reserved for His people. There are some blessings that are bestowed only upon the righteous people.

Confidence

The Psalmist David spoke of the confidence that he had in God. He mentioned the confidence that he had in God to answer prayer. What David asked and expected of God are blessings that are available to all the righteous. David was not especially a favourite. What David received from God every Christian may also receive!

David said, "Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul." David prayed he depended upon God; he encouraged himself in the Lord. David's soul was brought to a higher plain because he put his trust in God. May the words of David cause us to pray more, to lift up our souls unto the Lord even more than we have been doing. The Prophet Jeremiah in his Lamentations said, "Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens" [LAM:3:41]).

A person can lift up his soul unto vanity [PS:24:4]), and unto pride [1TM:3:6]); but that will bring condemnation and a withholding of God's blessing. Let us lift up our hearts and our souls in prayer and in worship unto God!

Trust in God

The righteous people have a confidence and a trust in God. Their assurance cannot be equalled in the things of the world. Ungodly men often put their trust in money, in friends, in their own ability and education, or in their work. But there is no assurance that these things will not fail. Every one of these earthly things has been known to fail.

When a person puts his confidence and trust in God and in His Word, he is depending upon the One, and the only One, who cannot fail. Moses delivered the words of the Lord to the Children of Israel that God would neither fail them nor forsake them [DEU:31:6]). Moses said to Joshua: "Be strong and of a good courage:... And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee, he will be with thee, he will not fail thee neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed" [DEU:31:7-8]). God was with Joshua and the Children of Israel. We read: "There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass" [JOS:21:45]).

God and His Word cannot fail; His Word does come to pass. We can put our trust in God's promises and know that they are sure. (Read [ISA:34:16];[ISA:40:8];; [MAT:24:35]; [LUK:16:17]; and [1PE:1:25].) The ungodly have no such thing in which they can trust and be sure that it will come to pass.

Never Ashamed

When a person puts his trust and confidence in God, he has nothing of which to be ashamed. Many ungodly people are ashamed of the way they live. They are ashamed of their sins. A Christian has asked God to blot out his sins and to give him power each day to live a life without sin. A sinner lives a shameful life, but a Christian waits upon the Lord to lead in the right path. The Psalmist said, "Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments" [PS:119:6]). When a person obeys the Word of God, he lives a good and righteous life, and he need not be ashamed of anything in his life.

God gave a promise that His people -- those who wait for Him -- will not be ashamed. The promise was given to the Children of Israel and to all who are His true followers. "Ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed" [JOE:2:27]). "Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people:... and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me" [ISA:49:22-23]). How different from those who have sin in their lives! They try to cover their sins. They avoid meeting righteous people because of those sins. They are condemned and fearful lest their sins be exposed. A Christian keeps a clear conscience and has nothing of which to be ashamed.

Guidance

David prayed that God would teach him and lead him in the way of the Lord. David knew how important it is for one to walk in the way of the Lord instead of in his own way. "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" [PRO:14:12]).

Only by following the Lord can one expect to go to Heaven. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" [JHN:14:6]). The Prophet Isaiah spoke of the "way of holiness" upon which the redeemed shall walk and over which the unclean shall not pass [ISA:35:8-9]). There is a blessing pronounced upon those who walk in the way of the Lord [PS:128:1]). There is a blessing in this life and in the life to come. By keeping on the straight and narrow way one will have eternal life [MAT:7:14]).

Mercy and Truth

David prayed that the Lord would guide him, because he knew that the path of the Lord leads to Heaven. When one chooses his own way, there will be pitfalls, stumbling blocks, snares, and bypaths which lead him to destruction. When one follows the way of the Lord, he is warned of dangers; he has the Lord to help him over the rough places, the Lord will "pluck" his feet out of the net; the path is well-marked which leads to everlasting life. "As for God, his way is perfect" [PS:18:30]). Those who keep His commandments, the Lord leads by mercy and truth. One must be humble, and wining to be led by God. The Lord does not lead the unrighteous and the proud, because they do not want to be led by God. Can we say with the Psalmist: "I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me" [PS:119:30])? May our prayer be like that of David's: "Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path" [PS:27:11]).

Forgiveness

The righteous have received another blessing, the forgiveness of sins. They are forgiven because they repented and asked God to save them. David prayed: "Pardon mine iniquity;... and have mercy upon me,... and forgive all my sins." David reminded God of His tender mercy and loving-kindness which endure forever. David knew that no person deserves to have the peace of God; his sins are forgiven because God is merciful. It is through the goodness of God, not through any good that man may do that one is made righteous.

The ungodly do not have this blessing of the knowledge of sins forgiven, because they do not repent and ask God for mercy. Only the Lord can forgive sins. He can take away sin, and He can keep a person from committing more sins. David prayed: "O keep my soul." We must be saved, and keep an experience of salvation, if we want to be included with the righteous.

Besides removing sin, and keeping from sin, the Lord does not remember those sins which have been forgiven. The Lord said, "I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more" [JER:31:34]; [HEB:8:12];[HEB:10:17];).

Sins of Youth

David asked especially that God would not remember the sins of his youth. David realised that every child, above the age of accountability -- when he is responsible for knowing right from wrong -- has sinned and needs to ask forgiveness. David did not make excuses for his sins like some people do. David did not say that he was young and just a child. David knew that the wrongdoings of his youth were sins, and he asked God to forgive them.

Being a child or a youth is no excuse for sin. God will forgive children when they repent. God will remove their sins and give them power to live without sin.

Judgment

The ungodly would like to think that God does not hear when they speak evil. They would like to think that God does not see when they commit sin. God, who made the ear, does hear. God, who made the eye does see. In due time, punishment will be brought upon the unrighteous and God will bring vengeance upon those who have mistreated His people.

The ungodly deny themselves the blessings that God will give to His people. Moreover, in the day of judgment the sins of the ungodly will be remembered; each sin will be brought to light and uncovered. David knew what would come upon the ungodly, but David had his comfort and help in the Lord. David had proved God. The Lord had delivered David from his enemies, and had held him up when his foot was slipping. David had confidence in God for the future, because he put his trust in God. David said, "The LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge." In what have you put your trust?

Questions

1. How can a person lift up his soul unto the Lord?

2. In whom did David put his trust?

3. Who lives a life of shame?

4. By whom did David want to be led?

5. Where does the path of the Lord lead?

6. Whom did David ask to forgive his sins?

7. Who can forgive sins?

8. To whom does vengeance belong?

9. Who was David's defence and refuge?

10. Name some of the blessings of the righteous.