One of my favorite books in the Bible is Psalms. The 19th Psalm is the longest division in this book, and it begins with a wonderful promise: “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!”

There are two words that are seen two times in the two verses above. The first word is “blessed,” and the second is “way.” One of the themes of this Psalm, and some others, is the link between receiving “blessings,” and doing things God’s “way.”

• The pathway we are to walk is the principles of God, and when we do this we are blessed.
• Seeking God wholeheartedly is evidence of walking in His way
• The key to keeping your way (life) pure is by integrating God’s Word into your life (9-11).
• When you develop a relationship with God you will “delight” in the way of His testimonies (14).
• Applying the principles of God to your life is not an accident, but it is a conscious decision that needs to be made: “I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me (30).”
• On your journey through the wilderness of life, it will be necessary to check your compass and correct your course from time to time: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24)”

The principles above come to life in the story of the prodigal son. In him, we see a young man who followed the way of the world and experienced a life of tragedy and failure. The choices he made reminds me of Proverbs 14:12: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”

Even though his son had failed, the father was ready to forgive him and welcome him home. When he saw his son walking down the dusty road that led to the house, he said: “My son was lost and now is found (Luke 15:24).”

Which path are you walking, and what principles are guiding your life? Are you wholeheartedly seeking God and walking in His ways?