7.30.25 ~ Make Your Way Pure

Good morning!

Did you give some deep reflection on yesterday's study on our modern day idols? 

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. (Rev. 22:14,15)

The question that enquiring minds are asking amids this list of disqualified individuals is: How do I keep my way pure (Psa. 119:9)?

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse/zawkaw his way? by taking heed according to thy word. (Psa. 119:9)

You may recall from Monday night's zoom call that  there are various stages of growth within our spiritual journey to maturity and the high calling of ruling and reigning during the Messianic Kingdom with Messiah Yeshua (1 Jn. 2:13,14). Our emphasis was on the three levels of childhood development (paidion, teknion, and teknon). If you didn't see it or know of these important distinctions, the recording is at the conclusion of this study :-)

I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. (1 Jn.. 2:13,14)

This morning, however, we were asking the question, "How can a young man" keep his way pure (Psa. 119:9)?

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse/zawkaw his way? by taking heed according to thy word/dabar (Psa. 119:9)

1 John 2:13,14 tells us that young men are strong overcomers over the wicked one because they allow the word to abide in them. 

Prior to verse 9 of Psalm 119, the writer makes an emotional concern by  returning to obedience. (Psa. 119:8)  How can I be pure?  In this week's Haftarah portion (Isa. 1), verse 16 puts the responsibility completely on us.

Wash you, make you clean/zawkawput away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; (Isa. 1:16)

The Psalmist, here in Psa. 119:9, is no longer floundering in the dark depths of the heart.  We’re back in the light declaring the legitimacy of obedience (Psa. 119:105).  How can I be pure?  How can I cleanse my way? By obedience to His word/dabar.

Did you understand part of the inference in this verse? It's not only possible to be pure, it's easy (1 Jn. 5:3). Are God’s instructions so impossible to keep, as is often taught, that we don’t know how to follow them?  Of course not.  We don’t have to be confused.  We just have to do what He says.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.  And when we do...purity follows.  We will be clean before Him.  

Ahh, to be clean/zawkaw; something i'm supposed to do. Ironically, and importantly, cleansing ourselves with God's provision, His Word, is parallel to the righteous actions of the saints (Deut. 6:25; Psa. 119:6)

And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us. (Deut. 6:25)

Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. (Psa. 119:6)

And this begs us to ask the question, "Does that make salvation a consequence of human effort rather than divine forgiveness"?  It's yes  to both, as Paul said, “ . . . continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Phil. 2:12,13).  

On this 11th day of counting towards the first fruit of the oil, may we live life biblically youthful (not worldly youthful), by allowing His word to abide in us, cleanse us (Jn. 15:3) and utilize it to cleanse our way. Why not start with preparing for the Sabbath? It's just a few days away :-)

Shalom,

Alan