Introduction

Not so long ago a pastor was confronted by an ex-member of his church. The accusation registered against God's servant could be summed in the words: "Pastor, you're out of date. You still preach on Hades, and shock cultured ladies, with your old-fashioned doctrine of salvation through the blood of Jesus. You're so far behind, you will never catch up. Reverend, you're a flat tire, stuck in the mud." If you had watched the pastor's face closely, you would have seen a number of emotions flash over his features: confusion, anger, sadness and then the sweet grace of understanding. Looking at his accuser, the Reverend quietly sighed his reply; "Did you say I should catch up to you? Well, even if I went twice as fast as I'm going right now, I don't think I could succeed. You see, my friend, I'm not going your way."

These Lutheran Hour Ministries Bible Studies are based upon the Psalmist's plea: "Show Me Your Ways, O Lord." (Psalm 25: 4-5) In the course of his life, King David had walked a number of "ways". At one point he had been God's champion in the slaying of Goliath. He had been a good example, treating the king who was trying to kill him, with respect. He had been a faithful friend to Jonathan, the man he would replace upon Israel's throne. He had walked the ways of poet, philosopher and general.

But David had also walked other 'ways'. He was not above putting his own ways above those of the Lord. As such, he had followed the "way" of an adulterer; he had walked the "way" of a murderer. He had wandered from God's way in the raising, and disciplining, of his children. Each of these "ways" had led him to a time of realization, repentance and rededication. It is his Psalm, asking for guidance that serves as the starting point for these studies.

Please note that these studies will not be discussing the way of salvation. When the early church was founded, Christians were first known as followers of "The Way" (cf. Acts 24: 14). That name became their confession. They were saying that in a world filled with countless gods and innumerable philosophies, they believed the Christ was the only Way to salvation. These lessons presuppose that those who use them continue to recognize that Jesus still remains THE WAY, and the Truth and the Life. (John 14: 6). We agree with Peter, who, on Pentecost, proclaimed, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." For that reason, these studies are not evangelical in nature.

Likewise, in joining David in asking God to show us His ways, these studies are not going to spend a lot of time on the Ten Commandments and other of the Lord's clear-cut rules for Christian living. In verse 10 of the Psalm, David says: "All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant." By saying this, David makes it quite clear that knowing God's covenant is a prerequisite to arriving at a clearer understanding of God's more subtle wishes and ways. These studies concentrate on those more subtle aspects of Christian life, and living, that are often neglected. These qualities, when properly understood, can make a tremendous difference in the success and satisfaction of personal and parish lives. The following illustration may help explain the purpose:

The barnacle is a sea-creature that, early in its life, loves to fasten itself to the bottom of a ship. When it is young, it causes no serious damage. As the barnacle grows, and as it is joined by others, they will eventually slow down the progress of the vessel. That's why, every so often a ship has to go into dry dock and have the barnacles scraped off. These studies are designed to bring people into dry dock and do a little barnacle scraping. If that happens, and we pray that the Spirit will allow it to happen, people, like David, will be able to say, "Show Me Your Ways, O Lord."