Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Plain is Not Plain August 19, 2014

11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.  
Psalm 27:11 KJV

I selected the KJV translation for today's verse because of its use of "plain".  The choice of other translations were:
ESV- "level"; ASV- "plain"; NIV- "straight"; The Message- "well-lighted"

"Plain" spoke to me because of the varied definitions of the word and the applicability of several of these definitions.  I am using the Merriam-Webster Online dictionary as a reference.

plain

adjective

: not having any added or extra things
: easy to see or understand

-God's path is sufficient.  No extras required.  No fluff, additions, or add-ons.
-Once revealed God's path is also "easy to see or understand".  We might try to make it difficult or shrouded in mystery, but God is not a God of confusion.  If we truly seek His path for our lives, He will reveal it to us.

plain

adverb
:  in a plain manner :  without obscurity or ambiguity 
God doesn't mince words.  When He speaks He will also clarify.  There is an old bumper sticker that exemplifies this mind set-  "God said it.  I believe it.  Period."  When God speaks, we will know.

plain

adverb 
: absolutely
-Absolute, end of story, game set and match.  God's word is our compass, our life GPS.  There are no needs for additions, corrections, or substitutions.

plain

adjective
:belonging to the masses
No priests, preachers, or popes needed for the determination of God's path for the lives of individuals.  Once we become born-again, we have direct, immediate, and constant access to God the Father.

This it not to say that God's path will always be easy or free from trouble.  Plain does not mean problem free.  In fact, He has promised His children there will be times of difficulty and heartache.  But if we seek and His path, we can be assured both the peaks and valleys will be exactly what are in His plan for lives.



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