Young Adults' Group

A New Direction

by Pastor Mark
May 12, 2022

Finding a new direction

Time and time again, it is wise for us to reconsider the direction of our lives. We may realise that our lives are not as properly directed as they should be. We may end up being guided by the things of the world and are being pulled in different directions. The Psalmist of Psalm 119 gave himself a clear and correct assessment of his direction in life.

A candid and honest assessment

“Oh, that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes!” (Psalm 119:5)

1. The Psalmist realised his failure in keeping God’s Word.
2. This was a very candid and open assessment of his way of life.
3. His ways were not directed to follow the Lord’s statutes.
a. A statute is a specific word from the Lord concerning a special area.
b. The Psalmist was following his own ways…not God’s statutes.
4. There was a real lack of proper direction.
a. The Psalmist was ignorant of the Lord’s Word and His ways.
b. He was guiding himself in the wrong direction.
c. He felt deep remorse and regret for not keeping the Lord’s statutes.

The desire for his ways to be directed

1. The Psalmist recognised his need to find a new direction.
2. His ways ought to be directed by the Lord’s Word.
3. There was a new desire to reorganise his whole life.
a. To find greater organisation in his daily life
b. To direct his ways by keeping the Lord’s Word

Let us be challenged to have the same desire to direct our lives by keeping the Word of God.

The result of not being ashamed

“Then I would not be ashamed, when I look into all Your commandments.” (Psalm 119:6)

1. When reading the Lord’s Word

a. The Psalmist read and looked into the Scriptures.
b. He saw his failures in relation to the Lord’s Word.
c. He did not know, understand or keep His commandments.

2. Feeling a sense of shame

a. The Psalmist took an honest look at himself.
b. He felt a sense of shame for his spiritual state.
c. He took a very personal approach.
d. It reflected his heart of humility.

3. When keeping the Lord’s commandments

a. The Psalmist desired greater confidence in knowing and keeping the Lord’s Word.
b. He hoped that he would no longer need to feel shame.

The challenge of being directed by the Lord’s Word

What about us? Is the Lord’s Word directing our life? Let us be challenged to keep the Lord’s commandment as the central focus in our lives. Let us be challenged to direct our lives daily to diligently keep the Lord’s Word. Let us seek a new direction in life as we reorganise our lives according to the Lord’s Word.

Back to Article Listing