I have taught a lot of people to drive. Young drivers tend to weave because they focus right in front of their car. They will weave less by looking further up the road. The same thing happens when a child is learning to balance something on their hand. By looking at their hand they end up chasing the stick all over the room. They will balance things better if they look at the end of the stick.
What about life?
Is it important to drive straight? Is it important to balance things? David thought it was.
David did not know what a car was, but he knew about temptation. Driving life safely is very important since it pleases God. When God is pleased life is best. Psalm 119:9 asks a question that sums up this issue: “How can a young man keep his way pure?”
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:8-11–ESV)
How can a young driver keep his way safe? (Verse 10)
Sometimes I watch traffic and think about how everyone more or less obeys the rules of the road. Of course we remember those who break the rules, but the vast majority of drivers stick to them.
There are many reasons for obeying stop lights not the least of which is safety. Cars do not make the drivers stop; drivers make the cars stop. Many drive through lights that we feel are already red, but they are really just assessing risk and reward as they approach the intersections. So, how can a driver keep his way safe? By driving according to the rules.
Staying on the road
David said that purity is important to avoid life accidents. Driving through life should be about pleasing God and avoiding ditches. God does not want people sinking in the marshes so that they need to be rescued. God wants people following his steps around the quicksand. In Psalm 40 (see this post) David told how God heard David’s cry when he was sinking in the marsh. David was put on a firm path and shown the way of safe living. In Psalm 119 David is telling how to stay on the path. [Read more…] about Psalm 119:9-11–Staying on the path