The Steps of a Good Man

 Temple Baptist Church - 10-19-2025

Psalm 37:23–26

Introduction:

 

A.  Psalm 37 is one of David’s wisdom psalms and is instructional in nature.  It presents a profound contrast between the righteous and the wicked, between those who trust God and those who envy evildoers.

 

B.  Verses 1-8 show a progression of trust and acceptance of God’s will and way that bring about resting in the Lord. 

 

1.  God begins this psalm with an admonition, “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.” 

 

2.  We often see the wicked, seemingly blessed, while we suffer hardship.  There is an old saying, “Bad things happen to good people and good things happen to evil people, but neither stays that way.”

 

C.  We find that God governs the affairs of men, and that the prosperity of the wicked is short-lived, while the righteous are preserved and guided by the Lord.

 

D.  Verses 9-22 show a stark contrast between the final outcome of the righteous and the wicked.  The righteous will be rewarded and prosper, while the wicked will not.  It pays both temporally and eternally to trust, rest, and walk with God!

 

E.  Our text shows us four things that are a reality of the life of the righteous that we will explore for a few minutes.

 

1.  Verse 23.  The Steps of the Good Man.  “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.”

 

a. The Person – “A good man”

 

1)  This “good man” is not good in himself, for “there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

 

Romans 3:12  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

2)  Rather, this refers to a righteous man, one who trusts in the Lord as described in verse 3: “Trust in the LORD, and do good…”

 

3)  A good man is one made righteous by faith, walking in obedience and fellowship with God.

 

b. The Path – “Ordered by the LORD”

 

1)  The word “ordered” means established, directed, or arranged. 

 

2)  A path controlled by God.  The righteous man’s path is not random, nor guided by chance or fate. A wise and loving Lord divinely arranges every step.

 

Isaiah 58:11  And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

 

Proverbs 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

3)  Even the smallest details—where he walks, whom he meets, what he endures—are under God’s control.

 

c. The Pleasure – “He delighteth in his way”

 

1)  The “he” here may refer to both the Lord and the good man.  God delights in our way and the good man delights in God’s way.

 

Psalms 37:28  For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

 

Psalms 37:4  Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

 

2)  There is mutual delight—the believer walking in step with his God, and the Lord rejoicing in His faithful servant.

 

2.  Verse 24.  The Fall and the Upholding of the Good Man. “Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.”

 

a.  The Possibility of Falling.  The righteous man can fall, but not utterly.

 

1)  He may stumble through temptation, trial, or weakness—David himself knew that.

 

2)  Yet God’s child never falls out of grace, only within it.

 

Proverbs 24:16  For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

 

b. The Preservation by God’s Hand.

 

1)  The phrase “the LORD upholdeth him with His hand” shows divine intervention and gracious preservation.

 

2)  Even when we fall, His hand is underneath us:

 

Deuteronomy 33:27  The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

 

3)  God’s hand keeps His child from ruin, restores him from his fall, and sustains him in his walk.

 

3.  Verse 25.  The Testimony of the Good Man.  “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”

 

a. David’s Life-long Observation. 

 

1)  David had lived a full life—shepherd, soldier, king, and psalmist—and he gives a personal testimony of God’s faithfulness.

 

2)  He had seen many things, but one thing he had never seen—a righteous man truly abandoned by God.

 

b. The Faithfulness of God.

 

1)  God never forsakes His own.

 

Psalms 37:28  For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

 

2)  Even in times of famine, the Lord provides.  Elijah was fed by ravens; Israel by manna; the widow of Zarephath by a barrel that never emptied.

 

c.  The Heritage of the Righteous

 

1)  David adds, “nor his seed begging bread.”  The blessing of righteousness extends beyond the individual—it reaches his children.

 

2)  God’s promise is generational:

 

Proverbs 11:21  Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

 

4.  Verse 26.  The Character of the Good Man.

 

a.  His Compassionate Spirit.

 

1)  The righteous man, being upheld and supplied by God, becomes merciful and generous toward others.

 

Psalms 41:1  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

 

2)  His mercy is not occasional, but constant—“ever merciful.” His generosity reflects the mercy he has received.

 

b. His Continual Blessing.

 

1)  Because of his faithfulness and kindness, “his seed is blessed.”

2)  The children of the righteous often enjoy the overflowing benefits of their parents’ faith and integrity.

3)  God delights to honor a godly lineage.

 

Conclusion: 

 

Psalm 37, as a whole, contrasts the fleeting prosperity of the wicked with the sure preservation of the righteous.

Verses 23–26 give a personal, tender look into the life of a believer under God’s care:

 

1.  His steps are ordered.

 

2.  His falls are cushioned.

 

3.  His needs are supplied.

 

4.  His seed is blessed.

 

The Good Man takes comfort:  Though the wicked may prosper for a season, the righteous are under divine direction, divine correction, divine provision, and divine preservation.

A Walk of Integrity

 Temple Baptist Church - 1-26-2025

Psalm 26

 

Introduction.

 

Psalms 26:1-12  A Psalm of David. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.  (2)  Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.  (3)  For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.  (4)  I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.  (5)  I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.  (6)  I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:  (7)  That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.  (8)  LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.  (9)  Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:  (10)  In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.  (11)  But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.  (12)  My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.

 

A.  The Psalm is Davidic.  Written by King David, the only man in the Bible described as a man after God’s own heart.  A perfect man, no way!  Often a failure, absolutely!  But a man who valued God’s take on his walk of integrity.

 

B.  What a confidence that David had in his LORD!  Most of us “Christians” would never ask God to judge, examine, and prove us.  We would much rather be “left alone” because we are often afraid of what God would say and require of us.

 

C.  Though David failed God terribly at times, he would recognize his sinfulness, as God to restore him to his former and godlier state and accept His righteous judgment.

 

D.  In the first two verses, David both asked God to do three things along with giving Him the three-fold criteria that needed to be judged.

 

1.  David’s asking:

 

a)  Judge me!  Judge me.  To either vindicate or to punish.  We use this principle in our court system.  There are two sides represented:  the defendant and the prosecutor.  The defendant has the presumption or cloak of innocence, and the burden of proof lies on the prosecutor.  David said, “Judge me for I have walked in mine integrity.”  GOD IS ALL KNOWING!

 

b)  Examine me.  Examine – to thoroughly investigate his actions and motives.  This would bring about  the examination that either vindicates or punishes.  LORD, look at what is evidenced in my walk with You and for You!  GOD IS ALL SEEING!

 

c)  Prove me.    Wow!  I have never asked God to “put me through the wringer” to show me what I really am.  Test me to see if my integrity is as well in bad times as it is in good times.  There is an old saying, “The proof is in the pudding.”  The pudding may look good, and it may smell good, but its goodness is found when you taste it.  GOD IS ALL POWERFUL.

 

2.  David’s Integrity.

 

a)  David’s walk: “for I have walked in mine integrity:”  Integrity: honesty, truthfulness, honor.  I do not doubt David’s integrity, something that is imissing in our day.

 

b)  David’s trust: “I have trusted also in the LORD”  David knew that the LORD loved him and wanted only the best for him. In the New Testament, Paul spoke of having learned contentment in both good and bad times.  Proverbs 3:5-6.

 

Philippians 4:11-13  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  (12)  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  (13)  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

c)  David’s confidence:   “therefore I shall not slide.”  David knew that as long as he walked with the LORD, he would not be greatly moved.

 

E.  The rest of the Psalm describes the walk of integrity that David asked the LORD to judge, examine, and prove.

 

1.  Verse 3.  A walk of integrity is the foundation of stability of the believer.  This walk must be found in God’s truth.  Walking in God’s truth is to walk in the light, not darkness or, as some say: walking in gray or shaded areas which are a mixture of lightness and darkness.

 

1 John 1:6-7  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:  (7)  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

 

3 John 3-4  For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.  (4)  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

 

2.  Verses 4-6.  A walk of integrity is found in separation from the ungodly.  Holiness in our associations.  We are blessed or not blessed because of who we walk and sit with.  Be careful with who you run with.  “Birds of a feather flock together.”  I feed birds and though there is a mixture of kinds feeding together, there are many species that come at the same time and feed with their own kind.

 

Psalms 1:1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

 

Integrity is washing your hands and hanging close to the altar of God.

 

3.  Verse 7.  A walk of integrity is found in our sharing.  Sharing the love of God and the Gospel with others in an attitude of thanksgiving.  Not in a judgmental way but in a compassionate way while sharing our personal thankfulness for the salvation that we have.

 

Matthew 5:14-16  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  (15)  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  (16)  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

4.  Verse 8-10.  A walk of integrity is found in our faithfulness to God’s house, the local church.  I do not believe that we can walk with God without being faithful to church.  Not to be faithful in assembly is a direct disobedience to God’s command which brings about the judgement of God.  I often quote Hebrews 10:25 but listen to the “rest of the story.”

 

Hebrews 10:25-27  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  (26)  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,  (27)  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

 

5.  Verse 11-12.  A past walk in integrity does not promise a continued walk in integrity.  David pleads with the LORD for His help.  “Redeem me … be merciful to me” so that “My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.”

 

Though our walk with God is very personal, we cannot maintain such a walk without His holding us up and keeping our feet in an even place. 

The Hills of Help

 Temple Baptist Church - 8-18-2024

Psalm 121:1-2

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  I want to divide this Psalm over the next couple of weeks to look at something that is generally missed.  There are two things that are seen here, and both are equally important and inseparably tied together. But normally, only one aspect of the Psalm is preached.

 

B.  Psalm 121 is one of the Psalms that are used many times at funerals.  It is a good one to read as the bereaved family and friends are suffering great loss.  It is Psalm that will cause them to get the right help from both the right Place and the right Person at the right time.

 

C.  I will begin to dissect this Psalm tonight as it is also go great importance to God’s people in both good and bad times.  Without any further introduction, let us look at this Psalm.

 

D.  Psalm 121 is another of the “Songs of Degrees” related to travel.  It was one of the Psalms that the pilgrims sang as they went back to Jerusalem on one of the three feast days where all males were required to attend. 

 

E.  In the first 2 verses we find the answers to two questions: 

 

1.  The question of Where they intend to go and

 

2.  Who they intended to see when they got there.

 

3.  Hills in themselves are of no help so the implications of the Psalm are that there is some place in the hills where their help will be available.

 

F.  Topography of Israel holds a very important key to the Psalm.  Any direction from which one approaches Jerusalem is an upward journey physically as Jerusalem is surrounded by hills.

 

1.  Jerusalem is 2,474 feet above sea level. 

 

2.  The Valley of Megiddo (also called Jezreel) is to the north of Jerusalem.

 

3.  The plains of Sharon and coastal plains are to the west of Jerusalem.

 

4.  The trans-Jordan Valley to the east of Jerusalem.

 

5.  And the desert of Juday and the Dead Sea (the lowest place on earth) to the south of Jerusalem! 

 

6.  Every way they approached Jerusalem was an upward journey or “Journey of Degrees.”

 

G.  Therefore, the approach of the traveler was degrees upward, not downward.  It is the same for us today.  Our journey should be an upward one so as to encourage each of us in this world of sin, sickness, and sadness.  Degrees means slow but steady progress which is a beautiful picture of the life of a child of God.

 

1.  First of all, this Psalm is not like most which are prayer oriented.  “I will lift up mine eyes”  This is a continuing attitude of the Psalmist. 

 

2.  “Lift” is used instead of “lifted.”  Lifted carries with it the thought that he had been looking down, lifted up his eyes, and probably look back down as “Lifted” is in the past tense

 

3.  To the contrary, the word “lift” is in the present tense.  Something common, something lasting, something expectant. 

 

4.  His eyes were taking him to Jerusalem on a feast day thus he was headed for the Temple, the house of God.  In the house of God, we fine encouragement to help us in these wicked later days to:

 

H.  Verses 1-2.  Here we find three things: the Place of help, the Person of help, and the Power of help.

 

1.  The Place of our Help.  “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.”  They were headed for Jerusalem and the Temple to worship.  We continue to emphasize the importance of what we are doing tonight, being faithful to our church!  Hebrews 10:25 will never be a verse that wears out.  God designed the local church to be a place of peace, learning, worship, giving, fellowship, and encouragement. 

 

a.  Encouragement to continue a walk of holiness with God. 

 

b.  To withstand the onslaught of Satan and the world.

 

c.  To be steadfast and immovable in the way.

 

d.  To help us to follow the “Old Paths” in decaying religious surroundings.

 

e.  To finish our Course in a way that is pleasing to the Lord.

 

f.  To keep the faith once delivered.

 

g.  To all of the above with joy!

 

2.  The Person of our Help.  “My help cometh from the LORD”  The local church is the House of God and as Abraham returned to Bethel and named it El-Bethel (El – God and Bethel – the House of God) because he continued to find the Lord there!

 

Matthew 18:20  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

 

John 20:19  Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

 

Psalms 46:1  To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

 

a.   God is our Refuge.  Our hiding place!  We are hid with Christ in God.  He is our protector, peace and comfort.  “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) 

 

b.  God is our Strength.  “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13)

 

c.  God is our Help.  “A very present help in trouble.”  “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

 

3.  The Power of our Help.  “which made heaven and earth.”  What a statement!

 

a.  Power belongeth unto God.  “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.”  (Psalms 62:11)

 

b.  All power belongeth to Christ Jesus.  “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”  (Matthew 28:18)

 

c.  God’s Power manifested in Creation says enough.  “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”  (Genesis 1:1)  Ex Nihilo – from or out of nothing. 

 

Romans 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

 

d.  What is it that you need; what is it that want?  I am not of the “name it claim it” people, but we have not simply because we ask not.

 

Psalms 121:1-2  A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  (2)  My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.