Remove from me the way of lying; and grant me Your law graciously.

Posted : 8 Mar, 2013 07:39 AM

Psalm119:29 Remove from me the way of lying; and grant me Your law graciously.





Every deviation in principle and conduct from the strait and

narrow path, is a way of lying. Every traveler in the way "feeds

on the ashes" of his own delusion. Does it seem a marvel, that

the man of God should deprecate so earnestly the influence of

gross sin? "The brand plucked out of the fire" retains a

susceptibility of the fire. The oldest Christian in the family of

God might at any moment of unwatchfulness be captivated by

the chain of his former sins. Might not the recollection of past

compliances with this shameful sin naturally have suggested

the prayer-Remove from me the way of lying? But even in the

profession of the Gospel, should we "be removed from Him

that called us into the grace of Christ unto another gospel;"

should erroneous doctrines find a place in our system; and-as

the natural consequence of doctrinal errors-should any

inconsistency be marked in our practice; should there be any

allowed principles of sinful indulgence, self-righteousness,

conformity to the world, or shrinking from the daily cross-then,

indeed, will the prayer naturally flow from our hearts-Remove

from me the way of lying.

Most justly are ways such as these called "ways of lying."

They promise what it is impossible, in the nature of things,

that they can ever perform: and prove to their deluded

followers, that "those who observe lying vanities, forsake their

own mercy." We can be at no loss to trace these "ways," to

their proper source;-to him, who, "when he speaks a lie,

speaks of his own for he is a liar, and the father of it." A lie

was his first-alas! too successful-instrument of temptation, by which he "beguiled Eve through his subtlety," and still does he

pursue the same deadly work throughout the world lying

under his sway, beguiling the blinded "children of

disobedience," into the awful deception of mistaking their God,

and into the blind choice of preferring "broken cisterns" to "the

fountain of living waters."

The gracious knowledge of the law is the only means of the

removal of this evil way. David, as a king, had it written by

him. He wished it written on him-not the book only before his

eyes, but stamped on the heart. The external knowledge is

the common benefit of all. The gracious knowledge is the

covenant-blessing of the Lord's people-the only effective

principle of holiness. The law is still what it was-an enemy to

the ungodly-forcing a hateful light upon their conscience; but a

delight to the servant of God- framing his will, and directing his

conduct. Thus truth extirpates lying. Christ reigns instead of

Belial.

Thus also we are enabled to "keep our hearts"-those leading

wanderers, that mislead the rest. For wherever we see

wandering eyes, wandering feet, and a wandering tongue, all

flow from a heart, that has taken its own liberty in wandering

from God. But with the law as our rule, and the Spirit as our

guide, we shall be directed and kept in a safe and happy path.

Grant me Your law graciously. Grant me a clearer perception

of its holy character-a more sensitive shrinking from

transgressing it-a more cordial approval of its spirit-a more

entire conformity to its directions.



by

Charles Bridges

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