All Paths Are Mercy and Truth!

“All the paths of the LORD [are] mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.” (Ps 25:10 AV)

Not just some paths.  But all of them.  If we go the path God has for us, then there is always mercy and truth.  There is also the observation that there is more than one path.  There are multiple paths.  Not that we have a path of life with many options, mind you, but each choice is a path in itself.  Along our pilgrimage, there may be options that deviate from the general path, but they are still paths of God’s mercy and truth.  This tells me if we stay in the path or paths of God’s providence, we will never fail of the mercy and truth of God.  We have unique lives.  Each does not trace the exact path of another.  We have our life events and purposes that vary slightly or greatly.  Each has a purpose and pleasures of life sent by God.  As long as we stay on that unique path, there is mercy and truth.

The Boy Scout camp we attended in our youth had a system of trials one could hike.  The goal was to complete each trail for which you would earn a bead or ribbon.  The goal was to walk them all in the week you were at camp so you could wear that award on your uniform.  All trials started and ended at the trading post.  The store master was the administrator of this activity.  He knew how long each trail was, how long it should take to hike it, and from which direction the participants would come from when completing their hike.  If the scout came from the wrong direction or returned earlier than the hike would require, there was no bean awarded.  Each trial was unique.  Some of the trials had activities along the way.  There might be an activity at the waterfront.  There were activities at the wilderness lodge.  There might have been things to do along the causeway trail or the trail to and from the Rifle Range.  There was one trail, however, that was hidden.  It was an unmarked trail.  Those who knew of it were sworn to secrecy.  This trial was the path leading to the grounds for the Order of the Arrow fire circle.  Those elected by their fellow scouts to the Oder of the Arrow would learn of this trail once their initiation was complete.  All trails began and ended at the same place.  They were unique.  They were cut through the woods and maintained for safety and clarity.  Deviating from them would bring the curse of poison ivy, a sprained ankle, or worse – expulsion from the Order of the Arrow.

The path God has for us is filled with mercy and truth.  There are many paths to take, but only one for us.  There is one path for me and another for you.  They share identical principles.  Sin is sin no matter the path.  Maturity in those paths may come from different directions.  Events and experiences vary.  We learn truth and the application of it in a way suited to how the LORD created us.  But our paths differ.  The nature of the paths remains the same.  They are paths of mercy and truth.  If we are lacking in either, then we are not on the path God has for us.  We are on a different one.  All the paths of God are mercy and truth.  Without exception, each and every path from God is mercy and truth.  This is encouraging.  There are no paths from God absent of mercy and truth.  All of them are mercy and truth.  As long as we stand and walk in the path of God, mercy and truth are abundant.  Praise the LORD!