2Sa 22:33 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.

This chapter consists entirely of a song that David sings praising God, after God has saved him from his enemies and from Saul. This song reads almost exactly as Psalm 18, also written by David. Which psalm was written first? Well, it doesn’t matter. David could have written this psalm first and then copy it into his other psalms to be sung by all. David praises God and proclaims His perfection: “As for God, his way is perfect” (v.31). And, only a God who is perfect in all His ways can make His children perfect. So, David declares in verse 33: “God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.” He maketh my way perfect – David wasn’t perfect. And his ways were certainly full of imperfections. So, what does he mean when he wrote God made his ways perfect? David did not say his ways were perfect. He said God made his ways perfect. There is a difference between the two statements. The former is saying he is perfect since his ways are perfect, which obviously is not the case. The latter is acknowledging God making his paths perfect. The word “perfect” used here is not to be understood in the way we understand the word, that is, spotless, flawless, and blameless. Instead, he means that when he puts his trust in God, He guides him and smoothen every path that he takes. Some of the paths may seem impenetrable and some difficult, but they are parts of the journey that will lead him to green pastures. He reinforces this idea in this famous psalm: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). Those who trust in God will have success. Therefore, David says: “As for God, his way is perfect …He is a buckler to all them that trust in him” (v.31b). What is a buckler? A buckler is a shield. A shield protects the person holding him against the fiery darts, swords, and arrows. Under the shield of God, the believer is protected from danger. NOTE: It’s NOT a life without danger. You cannot reach a mountain top without first crossing some valleys. Were you discouraged when you were down in the valley? Did you think of quitting? Did you think that God was not with you? You need faith. You need to trust that God knows the way ahead. And the rivers, valleys, and mountains, are just some of the paths we need to pass through in order to get to our destination. God did not promise your life will be without obstacles. But He promise He will be with you (Hebrews 13:5). He gives you encouragement: “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9). If everyday God sends only sunshine to us, the crops and cattle will die. We will die too. So, He gives us rain. Likewise, we need obstacles in life to toughen us up. Paul wrote: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Romans 5:3, 4, ESV)). Tribulations produce character. A child who has everything he asks for becomes spoilt even as adult. Peter concurs: “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7). Your faith will be like gold that has been tested in a fire. Trust in God that He will make your ways perfect. He will clear the obstacles with you; you are never alone. He wants you to trust in Him. When you have complete trust in Him, you can be assured your paths will be perfect; it will turn out fine: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5, 6).