Psalm 18:21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, And have not wickedly departed from my God.
22 For all His judgments were before me, And I did not put away His statutes from me.
In this passage, “ways” is the Hebrew word derek and is defined as:
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
a) road, way, path
b) journey
c) direction
d) manner, habit, way
e) of course of life (fig.)
f) of moral character (fig.)
The word has two attributes to focus on: intent and direction. The Scripture indicates that the direction of Our Heavenly Father’s “ways” leads to restoration and life. More importantly HIS ways are first determined by intent. Intent precedes direction and action. Love is the primal intent of Our Heavenly Father. Until you view all of Scripture by this primal intent of Love, you will be unable to fully understand HIS ways. Time after time Jesus would explain the ways of Our Heavenly Father. Men would interject their ego into the Scripture to create tradition. Jesus was a tradition buster. Each of us must ask the question: “What is my intent?” Is your intent self-preservation or to be a blessing to mankind?
If you want to know the ways of Our Heavenly Father, you must focus on Love, HIS most fundamental essence of character. If you fail to focus on the intent that brought salvation to mankind, how can you truly know the fullness of HIS ways? To walk in Love you must focus on Love. If you focus on everything else, you will not fully know HIS ways. You must back up to the “intent” of all HIS acts, Law, and prophecies. If you become like HIM, you will know HIS intent and walk in the same intent. You can then be trusted to bring forth the Kingdom for you will only speak what Our Heavenly Father directs you to speak and you will only do what Our Heavenly Father directs you to do, motivated by Love. When a Father sees a son who can and will fully represent HIM because the son thinks, acts, and responds in the same manner as the Father, HE will hand him the Kingdom and will proclaim “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”