Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. (Psalms 19:5 KJV)

Introduction: The importance of winning is seen in the agony of defeat.

During the 1980 Winter Olympics we were reminded of the joy of victory and the agony of defeat.  As Tie and Randy came onto the ice in the pairs competition it was apparent that he was struggling, but after falling three times in practice he knew he could not perform—and millions watch the agony of defeat. But that defeat means more when we realize the vigorous path they had trod to reach the pinnacle of their career only to have all hope dashed against the rocks. Each victory along the way brought joy, but hat is little comfort the night of defeat.

In the races we run no man is a failure if he is confident that he has done his best.

“the Strong man will rejoice when he has run the race.”  There are two Hebrew words and two Greek words translated “race” and each of them is tranlated that way only once in scripture.

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. (Psalms 19:5 KJV)

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. (Ecclesiastes 9:11 KJV)

 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. (1 Corinthians 9:24 KJV)

 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1 KJV)

Each of the word is used in a little different manner, but our text this morning would indicate that the strong man in the race is the one who stay on course to the completion.

I.   The Course or Paths of Scripture.

A.   The Manner of Women—

Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. (Genesis 18:11 KJV)

B.   But the most important are the paths of Life and the Paths of Destruction if we are to run a race we must first study the course.

1.   The paths of destruction

a)   Lead to nothing, ruin, or vacancy. Hell is described as outer darkness a place of complete loneliness.

The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish. (Job 6:18 KJV)

b)   Lead to perishing. To be lost,

(1)   Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost.

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10 KJV)

(2)   Every man, woman, boy or girl in this world without Christ is hopelessly lost.

c)   The path is the way of darkness.

 (1)   darkness is always in scripture a picture of wickedness, and sin, just as light pictures holiness.

 (2)   man has an innate fear of the dark, the unknown—to walk the path of destruction is to walk alone, without being able to see the dangers and destruction that lie ahead.

 (3)   For this reason the lost person may not be aware of the dangers.

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:2-4 KJV)

d)   We are warned not to enter the path

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. (Proverbs 4:14 KJV)

 (1)   The unsaved man is in the way, but he needs to get on the right path.

 (2)   The saved may can depart from the path of righteousness and enter the path of destruction and have his life ruined, become empty, and wonder in spiritual darkness.

2.   The Path of Righteousness—or Life.

a)   According to Ps. 16:11 leads to fullness of joy. Because it ends in the presence of the Lord.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalms 16:11 KJV)

 (1)   one definition of joy is the knowledge that we are loved when we don’t deserve it.

 (2)   By greater still is to be with the one who loves us when we don’t deserve it.

b)   Leads to “pleasure for ever more”

 (1)   Moses forsook the pleasure of sin for a season to suffer the affliction with the children of God.”

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; (Hebrews 11:25 KJV)

 (2)   The Lord endured the suffering of Calvary for the joy that was set before him.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 KJV)

3)   Sin’s pleasure can only last for a season, but in the presence of the one we love is pleasure  forever more.

c)   The path of life is one of light that is shining and getting brighter.

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. (Proverbs 4:18 KJV)

 (1)   The way of destruction was characterized by darkness—but life by light.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 1:4-5 KJV)

 (2)   The light of the dawn brings relief to those on guard over the city at night, but the light of noon day is even better

d)   It is the path of mercy and truth

All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. (Psalms 25:10 KJV)

(1)   of mercy—in that we don’t always receive what we deserve, it is not a harsh trail to follow.

(2)   of truth—in that nothing is hidden.

II.    The obstacles on the path

A.   Scripture says that it is a plain path and well lit so that if we “abide in the light” we will be able to see the obstacles.

They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof. (Job 24:13 KJV)

B.   Illustration from Dan

Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward. (Genesis 49:17 KJV)

1.   Dan was one of the twelve tribes Indication are that one of the obstacle would be from within.

a)   Dan was the first tribe to build its own altar rather that serve as God instructed

b)   I John warns of those who go out from us, but were not of us.

c)   Our life can cause others to stumble and fall and backslide.

C.   Rebellious people will seek to turn the pilgrim out of the way

That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:  Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:  Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. (Isaiah 30:9-11 KJV)

1.   Don’t hinder our progress down the road to destruction

2.   Come on  compromise with the world

3.   Stop your preaching of righteousness and holy living.

D.   Harlotry is another obstacle along the way.

None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.  That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. (Proverbs 2:19-20 KJV)

1.   This represents the desire to fulfill the inordinate desires of the flesh.

2.   The desire we have been given by God, but the emphasis on fulfilling desires, rather than the will of God will cause us to stumble

3.   Years ago, I would have skip over this point, because Christ men and women would not engage in such activity. Yet, the world if full of example to prove me wrong, preachers, deacon, Christian leaders, Christian athletes, Christian business men and women and more are struggling with this sin. More home are broken, more lives are destroyed by this sin.

4.   Men, set a guard before you eyes, make a covenant with your eyes, that you will not look upon the strange woman.

I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? (Job 31:1 KJV)

III.    Protection on the Path.

A.   Once a Child of God enters the path of life through faith in Christ he has the Lord’s protection.

He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. (Proverbs 2:8 KJV)

B.   When we  “in all our ways acknowledge him, He shall direct our paths.”

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

 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. (Proverbs 11:5 KJV)

1.   Just as maps, road signs, and laws offer to direct us if we will acknowledge them, they can help us, so he will direct us.

2.   But we must acknowledge him.

C.   His Word keeps us from the path of destruction.

Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.  Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. (Psalms 17:4-5 KJV)

D.   Isaiah and Micah say that we should come to him, lean on his way, the we will be able to walk in his ways.

And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:3 KJV)

 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Micah 4:2 KJV)

E.   Prayer is a protection.

1.   If we desire to know the way we need to ask

2.   It would be foolish for a downhill skier to think he could ski the course with out obtaining direction

Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. (Psalms 25:4 KJV)

IV.   To enter the Path of righteousness one must go in at the door.

A.   Salvation comes not by stumbling around and hoping that you were on the right path.

B.   Salvation comes by asking the door keeper, the Lord Jesus to open the door.

C.   Salvation is in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Who is the door.

D.   You may desire to do right, but you must be enter the door.

God's Simple Plan of Salvation

This Was Your Life

Rodeo Cowboy's Prayer