Psalm 119:9 (NIV) “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.”
The path of purity and holiness is the path to intimacy with God. The Bible says, “Follow peace with all men, and HOLINESS, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Heb 12:14; KJV). Again, the Bible says, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Mat. 5:8; KJV). To “see God” in the context of the Greek language, implies the idea of “walking in intimacy with Him” and “seeing God face to face in His glory at the end of time” (Rev. 22:4). Now, the number one goal of every believer in Christ Jesus should be “to walk in intimacy with God” and “to be with Him in eternity” when our time is over here on earth. I desire to know the experience of Moses with God: “And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend” (Exo. 33:11). So, help me God!
Now, the Psalmist focuses on youth because it is the stage of life where moral choices and spiritual foundations are being formed. So, the primary way by which a young person can stay on the path of purity and holiness is “living according to the Word of God” (by “taking heed” to God’s word). This means “aligning one’s life – thoughts, speech, and actions – with the divine truths of God’s word.” Purity is not achieved by “willpower”; it is achieved by “word-power”. The Psalmist said, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psa. 119:11). Walking in the path of purity is not about rigid legalism but about relationship and surrender – loving God enough to let His Word guide every step. Jesus said, “If a man loves me, he will keep my words” (John 14:23).
Written by: Pastor Andrew A Esemudje