Hosea 14:9 – “Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.”
The life of faith doesn’t only include belief but practice as well. And this verse says we should walk in the right ways of the Lord.
But what might that actually look like?
Puritan Richard Sibbes examines this question in detail in his “The Returning Backslider” work, which I’ve included below. You can read the entire treatise here, or jump to the page where the below starts here.
From Mr. Sibbes:
‘The just shall walk in them.’
As the just shall walk in them, so whosoever walks in them are just, wise, and prudent; for is not he prudent, who walks in those ways that lead directly to eternal happiness? Is not he a wise man, that walks by rule in those ways where he hath God over him, to be his protector, ruler, and defender? Is not he a wise man, who walks in those ways that fits him for all conditions whatsoever, prosperity or adversity, life or death, for all estates? He that walks therefore in God’s ways, must be the only wise man.
Now, what things does this walking in the ways of God imply?
- First, perspicuity [clearness to mental vision; easiness to be understood]. Those who walk in the ways of God, they discern those ways to be God’s ways, and discern them aright.
- Then when they discern them to be God’s good ways, answerably they proceed in them from step to step; for every action is a step to heaven or to hell. So a just man, when he hath discovered a good way, he goes on still.
- And then he keeps an uniform course, for so he does who walks on in a way. He makes not indentures [zig-zags] as he walks, but goes on steadily in an uniform course to a right end. So a just man, when he hath singled out the right way, he goes on in that steadily and uniformly.
- And likewise where it is said, the just walks in them, it implies resolution to go on in those ways till he come to the end, though there be never so much opposition.
But how shall we know whether we go on in this way or not?
First, he that goes on in a way, the further he has proceeded therein, looking back, that which he leaves behind seems lesser and lesser in his eye; and that which he goes to greater and greater.
So a man may know his progress in the ways of God, when earthly profits and pleasures seem little, his former courses and pleasures seeming now base unto him. When heaven and heavenly things seem near unto him, it is a sign he is near heaven, near in time, and nearer in disposition and in wisdom to discern, because the best things are greatest in his eye and esteem. In this case, it is a sign that such a one is removed from the world, and is near unto heaven, having made a good progress in the ways of God.
It implies likewise in the second place, an uniform course of life.
Such a one does not duties by starts now and then, but constantly. Therefore we must judge of men by a tenure of life, what their constant ways are. Sometimes though they be good men, they may step away into an ill way, and yet come in again. Sometimes an ill man may cross a good way, as a thief when he crosses the highway, or a good man steps out of the way; but this is not their way, they are both out, and to seek, of their way.
A wicked man when he speaks of good things, he is out of his way; he acts a part and assumes a person he is unskillful to act; therefore he does it untowardly. But a man’s way is his course. A good man’s way is good, though his startings be ill; and an ill man’s way is naught [nothing], though for passion, or for by-ends, he may now and then do good things.
Therefore, considering that the walking in the ways of God is uniform and orderly; let us judge of ourselves by the tenure of our life, and course thereof.
And let those poor souls who think they are out of the way, because they run into some infirmities now and then, comfort themselves in this, that God judges not by single actions, but according to the tenure of a man’s life, what he is. For oftentimes God’s children gain by their slips, which makes them look the more warily to their ways for ever after that. He that walks in the way to heaven, if he be a good man, he looks to make surer footing in the ways of God after his slips and falls. He labours also to make so much the more haste home, being a gainer by all his slips and falls.
Let none therefore be discouraged, but let them labour that their ways and courses may be good, and not only so, but to be uniform, orderly, and constant, and then they may speak peace to their own souls, being such as are here described, ‘The just shall walk in them.’
Third, again, he that will walk aright in God’s ways, he must be resolute against all opposition whatsoever, for we meet with many lets, hindrances, and scandals [stumbling-blocks], to drive us out of the way.
Sometimes the ill lives of those who walk in these ways, sometimes their slips and falls, sometimes persecution, and our own natures, are full of scandals, subject to take this and that offense, and then we are ready to be snared on the right hand, or feared and scared on the left. And our nature, so far as it is unsanctified, is prone to catch, and ready to join with the world; therefore we have need of resolution of spirit and determination. As David, ‘I have determined, O Lord, and I will keep thy laws; I have sworn that I will keep thy righteous judgments,’ Ps. 119:106. This is a resolute determination.
Fourth, and then again, pray to God with David that he would direct our ways. ‘Oh, that my ways were so directed to keep thy laws!’ Ps. 119:3.
I see that my nature is ready to draw me away to evil, and perverse crooked courses. I see, though I determine to take a good course, that there is much opposition; therefore, good Lord, direct me in my course, direct thou my thoughts, words, and carriage.
Therefore, that we may walk stedfastly, let us resolve with settled determination, praying to God for strength; otherwise resolution, with dependence on our own power, may be a work of the flesh.
But resolve thus, these are right ways and straight, they lead to heaven, happiness, and glory; therefore I will walk in them, whatsoever come of it. We have all the discouragement which may hinder us in the ways of God. For as we are travellers, so we are soldiers, warfaring men that meet with many rubs, thorns. Therefore to walk amidst such dangerous ways we must be well shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, that is, patience, and reasons taken from thence. God has provided spiritual armour in the word against all oppositions that meet with us, so that by resolution and prayer to him, using his means, we may go through all.
May God grant us the desire and help to walk in His right ways all our days!
— David
