The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth.
Isaiah 26:7 (NKJV)
One of the verses we often use to comfort others when they are going through difficult times is this one: “Misfortune often strikes the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of it” (Psalm 34:19). This is an absolute truth for those who, like David, believe God’s promises and live in harmony with His word. What we must understand is that even the one who seeks to please God with all his heart is not spared from the misfortunes of the world. But he has the assurance that God will never leave him alone in his distress.
This is the same idea that the prophet conveys here when he says that God makes the path of the righteous straight. He implies that the righteous, even if he lives in obedience to God, will encounter difficulties along the way. But God will make the path that opens before him favorable for him. Another way to understand the prophet’s implication is that living according to God’s righteousness will always generate favorable circumstances for us, even in the midst of our difficulties.
You see, no matter what implication is used to better understand the author’s thought, one truth remains certain and unchanged, the fact that a Christian must live in righteousness, namely in obedience to the word of God. God’s righteousness is not the moral sense we have that satisfies the desire of men, it is the law of God Himself that allows us to please Him every day of our lives. To live God’s righteousness is to live according to His heart. He will provide for your needs when difficult times come. Do not worry.
May the grace and peace of God be with you all.
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