Psalms 119:30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
This verse explains why the psalmist prayed to God in the previous verse to remove from him the way of lying. He wanted nothing to do with the way of lying because he had chosen the way of truth. Matthew Henry had this insightful comment on the psalmist’s choice:
“Observe, I. That those who will make anything to purpose of their religion must first make it their serious and deliberate choice….”
Our eternal salvation is determined by God’s choice, not ours.
Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love….
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation….
But when it comes to the exercise of religion, that is determined by our choice. Thomas Watson said, “Religion is not a matter of chance, but of choice.” We choose whom or what we will worship and serve, and how we will worship. And this choice of whom or what we will worship and serve will affect every other choice we make. Now, to be sure, God has chosen the way He wants to be worshipped. He wills to be worshipped according to the truth.
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
But we make the choice as to whether we will worship God the way He wants or not.
Every day of our life is filled with all kinds of choices. But all these choices really distill to one choice: the choice of our way, the way we will think, the way we will believe, and the way we will conduct ourselves. And that way should always be determined by the truth. The choice of the way of truth will influence everything in your life. It will influence your worldview, your political beliefs, your work habits, your economic practices, your social connections, how you satisfy your appetites, and, of course, your religious beliefs and practices. Whatever other choice you may make, make sure it is governed by this choice: I have chosen the way of thy truth.
Now the next expression in our verse flows out of this choice of the way of truth: Thy judgments have I laid before me. Again, we hear from Matthew Henry:
“Observe, II. That those who have chosen the way of truth must have a constant regard to the word of God as the rule of their walking.”
God’s written word, His law, which consists of His judgments and commandments, is the truth.
Psalms 119:142 …thy law is the truth.
Psalms 119:151 …all thy commandments are truth.
John 17:17 …thy word is truth.
Having chosen the way of God’s truth, we need to have that truth ever before us if we are going to proceed in that way. Like the psalmist, we must have God’s judgments laid before us, right there in front of us so that we may follow their pattern. The lesson here is that we need to read our Bible, hear it taught, and meditate on its teaching thereby keeping it before us. Only by this means will our lives reflect our choice of the way of truth.
Nothing should be more important to you that choosing the way of truth, because Jesus Christ is the way and the truth (John 14:6). And He is the most important Being in the universe. Speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ the Scriptures declare:
Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
If everything, including you, exists by and for the Lord Jesus Christ, don’t you think that makes Him quite important? The choice we discuss today is the most important choice you will ever make. You will choose either the way of lying or the way of truth. The choice is inescapable.
In conclusion, I exhort you to examine yourself and the choice you have made as to how you will live your life. What way have you chosen? The way of lying? Or the way of truth? And if it doesn’t really matter to you which way you have chosen; if you don’t think it makes a big difference what you believe; if it doesn’t matter to you what Bible you read, what church you attend, what way you worship, or what preacher you hear; then I say unto you, you have without doubt chosen the way of lying.
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