How does Psalm 85:13 encourage us to walk in righteousness daily? The Setting of Psalm 85 Psalm 85 celebrates God’s restoration after discipline. The final verse crowns the psalm with hope: “Righteousness will go before Him to prepare the way for His steps.” (Psalm 85:13) God’s covenant love has revived the nation; now His righteous character clears a path for His ongoing presence among His people. What the Verse Says about Righteous Living • “Righteousness will go before Him” – God never travels without holiness leading the way. • “to prepare the way for His steps” – His footsteps form a track we are invited to follow (cf. 1 Peter 2:21). • The picture: righteousness is both His herald and His highway. Where He walks, right living is already laid down. Why This Encourages Daily Obedience • Assurance of guidance: we are not bush-whacking through life; a straight road already exists (Proverbs 3:5-6). • Motivation to imitate: if righteousness is God’s path, following that path keeps us close to Him (James 4:8). • Confidence in victory over sin: the trail is cleared; obstacles to holiness are removed by His preceding work (Romans 6:11-14). • Anticipation of fellowship: walking where God walks means enjoying His presence throughout ordinary routines (Micah 6:8). Practical Ways to Walk the Prepared Path 1. Begin each day by recalling whose road you are on (Psalm 143:8). 2. Let Scripture set your steps; what He calls righteous defines today’s decisions (Psalm 119:105). 3. Choose integrity in hidden places—thought life, web history, finances—because His track runs there too. 4. Pursue reconciliation quickly; broken relationships block the path (Matthew 5:23-24). 5. Serve others: righteousness is not just avoidance of sin but active goodness (Ephesians 2:10). 6. End the day reviewing where His footsteps led and where you strayed; confess and realign (1 John 1:9). Supporting Passages that Echo the Theme • Proverbs 4:18 — “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn...” • Isaiah 30:21 — “This is the way; walk in it.” • John 14:6 — Jesus, the embodiment of righteousness, is “the way.” • 1 Thessalonians 4:1 — “Just as you now live in order to please God, do so even more.” Encouragement for Today Every sunrise finds the road of righteousness already rolled out under God’s leading. Step onto it with confidence. Each obedient choice places your foot in His footprint, keeping you in stride with the One whose presence brings revival, joy, and lasting peace. |
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