The perfection of God’s way

Scripture: 2 Samuel 22:31

Sermon notes

As David writes these words he is hanging up his war equipment. Cp v1, 21:17. He is now an old man and his fighting days are done.

He reflects on the wonderful history of victory that God has given to him over the probably close to 40 years previously. He speaks of that deliverance in a cumulative sense. Individual scenarios were no doubt in his mind but as he reflects on everything the Lord has done for him, he is conscious of the triumphant grace of God that has brought him through every conflict and he stands on victory ground. Time after time God had intervened and helped His servant.

From this perspective he has a wonderful view of God’s person, character and work of grace. That is prominent in his heart as he writes. The magnificence and majesty of God thrills his soul. One aspect of that is seen in this text.

I  THE PERFECTION OF GOD’S WAY.

1. God’s way. There are several things implied in this:

The personal actions of God Himself. The way/course one adopts is an expression of the person and character. God’s character and will is seen in His word.
Providence. This is obviously a reference to the purpose and will of God that governs all things generally. God’s way affects everything! This is what determines the course of the entire created order. Cp Dan 4:35, 37.
God has specially has charted David’s own course. He is also referencing how God has dealt with him and acted towards him.

2. He saw the perfection of this way. Here is an expression of faith in the revealed doctrine of God. It is striking to see the use of the singular here—way. While there is manifold diversity about God’s ways, they are all essentially one. A harmony, unity of purpose and direction marks all that God does.

God’s own course. This is perfect because of His personal perfections. He is without sin and perfectly complete. All that He does is necessarily an expression of this perfection of nature. Cp Deut 32:4, Ecc 3:14.
His own life’s course. As dictated by the Divine purpose, it is perfect in David’s eyes. He delights in the sovereign purposes of God for his life. Yet this is never merely a passive thing. The duty of the child of God is to walk actively in God’s ways. Cp v22. Here is an expression of glad assent to God’s path. He has learned that the ways of God, perfect in themselves, are perfect for him too! This is the submission of faith! Cp Rom 12:1-2—the attitude of the sacrifice. This is the ultimate abandonment of his own ways.

3. This is seen when guided by the Holy Ghost to look back. There is the exercise of Spirit-guided hindsight here. While faith may grasp this in advance, there is a sense in which we will truly only see this as we look back. Here is a foretaste of the view of life from Heaven! Cp Rev 15:3. This is not a carnal view of life.

II   THE PURITY OF GOD’S WORD.

The connection between the way and the word is obvious. God’s way is revealed in His word, both in terms of His own character, and the guidance that He gives His people. God’s way is always defined strictly by His word. He does not operate outside the parameters of His word.

1. Imagery. The picture of the refiner is in view. The purity and consequent value of the words of God are insisted upon. Cp Ps 12:6, 119:40, Prov 30:5. The object of the refiner was to produce a hallmarked/certified product that could be depended on for proven quality.
2. Proving God’s words. In his own subjective experience David had proved Gods words to be pure and precious. We often think of our circumstances being a trial to us; but they are equally a trial of God’s words to us! Our life’s experience becomes a refining pot/testing ground for the word of God. Each of us face the question: Will what God has said hold good in my circumstances? Where there is a walking in God’s way His word will be proved by us to be pure, precious and perfect.
3. Personal. David has proved this for himself. This is a matter that cannot be resolved by proxy!! You cannot adopt somebody else’s certainty about the word. I must prove God myself in my own life.

III   PROTECTED BY DIVINE STRENGTH.

This is obviously a specific instance of God’s perfection and of the proven value of His word.

1. The direct, personal involvement of God. God involves Himself with His people. The way of God, followed by the saint, is not a path devoid of personal contact with the Lord. We can follow the path of some great hero from history, but cannot walk with them! To walk in God’s way is to have Him at our right hand—as close as the shield carried by the soldier.
2. He is their shield. Again the imagery of war is invoked. God protects His people on the battlefield He has called them to. God’s way is always a path of war for the saint. For David this meant physical as well as spiritual warfare against the heathen enemies of God. Cp Gen 15:1. Protected to enjoy the rewards of the spoils of victory.
3. This is the experience of all who ‘flee to Him for refuge’. This is the basic idea of the term trust. The Christian is a refugee who finds in God every resource needed for victory. This was not the unique experience of David. All who do so find this to the case.

Only the way of the Lord can offer such contentment with perfection; such precious pure knowledge/wisdom; and such Divine protection.