BIBLICAL FATHERHOOD--THE GREAT NEED OF THE WORLD 11c) THE SHEPHERDING FATHER LEADS HIS FAMILY IN WAYS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Fathers, our children need to know the experience of being in a family that walks in the paths of righteousness.

1. We must pray for God's paths of righteousness.
David prayed, "Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not" (Psalm 17:5). We should also be concerned enough about our feet walking in God's paths (for it is easy for us to slip away) that we earnestly pray about this matter.

2. The paths of righteousness are described as paths of life.
"Thou wilt show me the path of life" (Psalm 16:11). God's paths do not lead to death and destruction, but rather to life and healing.

3. The paths of righteousness are described as plain paths.
Again David prays, "Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies" (Psalm 27:11). They are not slippery, crooked, devious, twisted, or questionable. Like plain bread that is not mixed with spices, the paths of the Lord are not mixed with worldly, fleshly enticements. They are obviously righteous without any doubt.

4. The paths of righteousness must be taught to God's sheep.
Psalm 25:4 says, "Show me thy ways O Lord; teach me thy paths."

5. We must delight on God's paths of righteousness.
The Psalmist prays in Psalm 119:35, "Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; ;for therein do I delight." God's paths do not contradict His Word and we His people should delight in them. They should never be a burden.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell