“A RIGHT WAY”

Psalm 146:5; Ezra 8:21; 1 Timothy 4:7,8; James 1:5-8

One of the things that came into our reading here on Thursday evening was ‘what is profitable’. The Lord spoke of how profitable it is for us if He goes away to take His place at the right hand of God, and if the Holy Spirit comes here (John 16:7). I thought we would begin with this Psalm, and I want every one here to have a sense of going through this life with God as our help. It would be a very sad thing to try to work our way through this scene without God’s help. God in all His greatness and glory – which you could say is beyond our contemplation – has set a time when under His grace we will have bodies of glory, like the body of the Lord Jesus (Phil.3:21). Then we will know even more of God’s greatness and glory, but at the present time God is interested in helping us in our practical everyday lives. He loves to do it. The writer of this psalm – we do not know who the writer was – says, “Blessed is he who hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in Jehovah his God”, and that really summarises what I have to say.

The scripture which really arrested me was this verse in Ezra. I trust you find it attractive; I find it lovely. We would need to read a lot of scripture to explain the background to what is presented here, so I will try to describe it briefly. Through the work of the enemy, breakdown had come in and Jerusalem was in ruins; the temple at Jerusalem had been destroyed. You might ask, ‘What was left here under God’s hand?’. Then we find at the beginning of this book that God had put it in the mind of a gentile king, Cyrus, to allow the rebuilding of the temple at Jerusalem. It was a remarkable thing, but God is able for that. God is able, and all things here are under His control. God illustrated here the might that He had, and He put it into the heart of that king to ask these men to go and rebuild the temple; and there were those available who did it. In those days the temple was rebuilt; there was opposition and there was conflict, but the temple was rebuilt. Then later this man, Ezra the scribe, gathers more of the people together and, with the articles that were for the service of God in the temple which had been preserved under God’s hand and were given to these men, Ezra was about to make a journey with a lot of people and much wealth across the desert to the place where the temple was.

Well, under the orders of the king (Artaxerxes was now on the throne) surely their pathway was obvious. They had the king’s protection; but Ezra wanted God’s protection. It says here, “And I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance”. I want to speak about the “right way”. The right way by God’s intervention was not to be under the protection of that king. Ezra had spoken about the way in which God would preserve them; he could not then go back and ask for the king’s protection; but he asks, through exercise which we may speak of briefly, that God would show them the right way. Dear brethren, I want to emphasise that whatever your circumstances, whatever the exigencies of your life, there is always a right way forward. It may be that where you are is not in the right way. All of us know what it is to pursue a way that seemed good to us but which – it increasingly becomes apparent – is not the right way. That is an exercise that all of us will know something about. Even in seeking to pursue what is right, you may find yourself in the wrong place. But I believe it is true to say that there is always a right way forward.

There are other references in Scripture to a ‘right way’. The servant who goes at Abraham’s request to find a wife for Abraham’s son says: “I blessed Jehovah, God of my master Abraham, who has led me the right way”, Gen.24:48. He gives thanks to God who has led him the right way. There is another reference in Samuel: he speaks of the wickedness that the people had done, in other words they had not followed in the right way, and he says, “For Jehovah will not cast away his people for his great name's sake … Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Jehovah in ceasing to pray for you; and I will teach you the good and right way”, 1 Sam.12:22,23. Samuel goes on to say, “Only, fear Jehovah, and serve him in truth, with all your heart; for see how great things he has done for you” (v.24). Ezra and those with him were able to make the journey, which was dangerous, without difficulty.

Notice it says that they had first of all proclaimed a fast. That means that they did not eat. You will find many references in scripture to a fast. I speak carefully, but I do not think at the present time that God would lead us to stop eating, literally; but a fast speaks of denying yourself something that is not wrong, and you give an opportunity to God to speak to you, having put off natural things. It may be that you put off an opportunity to do something that is perfectly in order, not unrighteous; but you choose not to do it and you spend time with God. There was exercise involved in this and Ezra declares this fast – “that we might humble ourselves”. This man could have been very elated at what God had done through king Cyrus, and what had been done in completing the work of the temple, but he was leading these souls in order that there should be worship towards God in a suitable way, and he humbled himself. Ezra and those with him recognised the need to be in humility before a God who had all things in His control, and that is what we need to do. We need to recognise in our lives that we are to be in humility before God, as those that seek of Him, that ask Him.

It does not tell us how long Ezra waited in Ahava, but it is clear that they would have waited until they had God’s way, God’s message to them – “to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance”. Nothing is to be lost. I find it very attractive that here is a man who sought to trust, as the Psalm speaks, in the God of Jacob. His trust was that God would see them all through, and despite the conflict and all that had taken place, despite the disasters that had overtaken Jerusalem – and the walls of Jerusalem had not yet been rebuilt – they sought a “right way” for themselves and their little ones. I encourage all of us: let us take account of what they did here. They waited in humility and not without sacrifice, as the “fast” could perhaps be rendered here, in order to seek a “right way”.

I read the passage in Timothy because I think it helps us to understand what the “right way” is. It speaks here of piety. In the Authorised Version of the Bible, the word used is “godliness”. Piety speaks exactly of what Ezra did; he sought to bring God into his circumstances, and only to move forward under God’s instruction. Piety is well known and well spoken about, but do I really know it? Do I really practice it? Can I say that my life is led in piety? I want to speak briefly about the different references to piety in this epistle. The first reference is in chapter 2, where Paul the apostle exhorts “that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings be made for all men; for kings and all that are in dignity” (vv.1,2), and we do that. In the prayer meeting we pray for those in authority, and that we may be granted a way through. Paul goes on to speak of praying so “that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all piety and gravity” (v.2). Now, we may pray that we will be given a quiet life, that we may be able to carry on, but the exhortation to pray for the authorities is specifically so that we may be able to live a life in all piety – a life into which God has been brought. How important it is to bring God into our lives, into our practical circumstances. There is no circumstance in which it would not be wisdom to bring God into our lives, and Paul refers to “a quiet and tranquil life in all piety and gravity”. It speaks to me of a sober pathway, not an unhappy pathway; not exactly a difficult pathway, although difficulties may well enter in; but there is not a difficulty that God allows that cannot be overcome with the help that comes from Himself. He readily provides that help. There is no promise from God that the believer’s life will be made easy, but while He may not make our life easy, He will certainly not make it difficult. We cannot think of God making our lives difficult; we would never do that. But if we ask Him to help us in the circumstances in which we find ourselves, we will find in Him support and strength to go on. It means speaking to God about our circumstances here. We have spoken earlier about the way in which the Lord Jesus helps us spiritually, and clearly if we are to be found here in answer to the Lord Jesus, we must be found in the way that is acceptable to God. But what we are referring to now is speaking to our heavenly Father about our practical walk and lives here, our lives in the world in which God has left us.

Later it says, “And confessedly the mystery of piety is great” (chap.3:16). We know that mysteries in scripture are not things that have no solution, or no answer. They are not things that we cannot understand, but they are things that need a key to be understood. The Person of whom this scripture speaks is the Lord Jesus. It speaks of how the Lord Jesus, in every step of His way, was dependent on God. I find it a most remarkable thing, and a most attractive thing, that One who was and is God, God manifest in flesh, came into this scene as a Man; and we find Him in His pathway here demonstrating to us piety in a supreme way. Of an evening, or during the day, He was found praying to His Father as to what He should be doing, that He should fulfil His Father’s will. You might say, He knew His Father’s will. Yes, He did, but He was dependent on God for every step of the way. He is the supreme example of dependence. It tells us here that “the mystery of piety is great. God has been manifested in flesh”. That is the Lord Jesus. Then it says, “has been justified in the Spirit, has appeared to angels, has been preached among the nations, has been believed on in the world, has been received up in glory”. What an example to us. These things speak of the greatness of Christ and all that has been established through Him.

In the verses I read, I did not want to speak about what is profane and so forth, but rather, “exercise thyself unto piety”. It may seem unusual language, but it is something for us to think about. We know what exercise is physically; and we should be before God about this subject of piety and about our lives in relation to it. The apostle writes, “exercise thyself unto piety; for bodily exercise is profitable for a little, but piety is profitable for everything”. This is notable – scripture says that there is one thing that is profitable for everything, and surely we would take account of that. There are many things that we are exhorted to do that may be profitable in their own way, and indeed vital; but bringing God into our circumstances and calling upon Him and seeking His help are profitable in every single circumstance of life. You understand why I link it with the “right way”, because it will always be profitable to bring God in. I dare say that most here, if not all, will know what it is to do something that we may not want to speak to God about. Clearly those things that we find it difficult to speak to God about, are best left not done. But we should be found here in that quiet and tranquil life to which Paul refers in writing to Timothy, and able to bring God into everything that we do.

I would like to speak practically. Young people might wonder what this means; they may say, ‘Does this really work?’ I would say simply, if you ask God for help in what to do, I can guarantee to you, it works. I say this from a small measure of experience. God is able to open doors which you cannot, and is able to close doors when that is beneficial for you, and indeed for His own glory. He is able to open a way forward for you, which is the “right way”. He can do it; and He loves to do it; and you need to speak to Him about it. In experiences in my life, when I do not quite know what to do and how to move forward, when things are a great worry to me, and I speak to God about them, I find that the things that worried me, are gone. I remember having to speak to a senior manager at work about an association that I could not join because of my links with the Lord Jesus, and I feared having to go to speak to that man; I did not know him. I prayed about it, and when I went into his office, there was a Bible on his desk. You can imagine that it made my difficult task quite easy. I give that as a very simple illustration of bringing God into our circumstances, speaking to God about them, and there was a right way, and on that occasion I found it and I was very thankful for it.

You will find as you go through life that there are difficulties at school, and tests which you may not know how to get through; and pressure at work and all sorts of things that enter into our lives. I just want to assure us all, and encourage us all, that there is a “right way”, and that way involves speaking to God, and putting the Lord’s things first, and being dependent upon Him. God is able to open doors which none of us can, and He is able to provide for us in a way that demonstrates that all is under His power and control. These practical things are very simple in one sense, and yet this extends to everything. There is no circumstance in which it is not profitable for us to speak to God about it and to seek the way that God would have us take. It is a very encouraging thing.

The last reference to piety in this epistle is, “piety with contentment is great gain” (chap.6:6). To give an illustration: we may find that the work provided for us, to earn our living, is not quite what we wanted, not what we expected. But if we have spoken to God about it, and God has provided something, He has shown us the way and we can be restful about it. The scripture says, “with contentment” – we are to be content with what God provides for us, and we will find there is “great gain”. Who is that gain for? The gain is for you, and also for God. As He provides for us and helps us through, we find that there is an answer for Himself, which comes from our lives. The gain I think is for all, and we can be restful in it. While I speak very feebly, I wish to emphasise the simplicity of these things. When we speak to God and bring Him into our circumstances, and desire to find that “right way” and are prepared to wait for Him, God provides the answer. There is a reference in one of Mr. Darby’s footnotes in his translation to ‘a way of truth’, Gen.24:48. We are to pursue the way of truth as set out for us in God’s word, and there is great gain for all of us in that.

I close with the reference in James. He refers to a request for wisdom, but I believe what James says applies to all of our requests to God. When we ask God for something, if we ask Him to show us the way, we are not to make up our mind that there are two or three ways in which we can do this, and then we ask God and wait to see which of the two or three ways He is going to indicate. We need to ask God and then to wait and to trust Him. We will find that the way in which God would have us move is the way that He will open up for us, which is the right way, and not doubt Him. That is easy to say, but not always easy to do; but God will give us help in that, and the Holy Spirit will help us to understand. We spoke earlier about the voice of the Lord Jesus, and the way in which divine speaking to us is recognisable; and so we speak to God and trust Him that the way that He will open up is the way that is profitable. We will find that it is the right way.

I leave these things with the brethren. As I say, they are very simple; but I have been impressed by the way in which what is profitable is found in piety, and the simplicity of Ezra’s request, that God would show them “a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance”. God loves to do that. Let us prove it, let us not doubt Him. Let us ask Him to show us a right way, whether it relates to our work, or something in older age, or something very simple when you are at school when you may need help with people who are being difficult to you, or with examinations, whatever the things are. It is not that God will immediately put you at the top of the class: no, you have to work for it. But if you want help in something, speak to God about it; if you are facing an exam, speak to God about it; if you are facing something difficult at work, speak to God about it. If you do not, God will be disappointed – I trust you understand I am not being irreverent in saying that, but think of what we have been saying as to God’s willingness to enter into your life and help you. There is no need for you to try to work it out on your own, although every one of us in this room has done that over and over again. I trust that every one has also proved what it is like to stop for a moment, and speak to God, and He will open up a way. There is always a right way forward. Do not be hasty to take a way that may appear right. Make sure you speak to God first and seek His mind, and He will bless you.

May God bless us all in the simple practice of what He has spoken to us about.

Address at Castellammare, Italy

24 May 2025

Alan Croot