Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Left or Right?




Isaiah 30:21 - Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.

So, you thought this might be about elections and political parties?? Well, that could be, too. If one really thinks hard about all of life, if one truly believes there is a God who is in control of all things, you can see all of life wrapped up in Him...it's all about right and wrong, left and right. It's all about which side of the fence we're on, about the road we take in life and staying on it. So, nothing here about political parties, even though it would fit just the same.

There is a narrow road we must walk if we follow God. We follow His truth. And often that truth is narrow. There's not much wiggle room for our own understanding. Narrow thinking? Yes, it can be looked at that way. Yet 1Corinthians 1:18 says: For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. God's ways are not like ours and that's why we put our trust in Him alone.

Oswald Chambers said this in his Utmost for His Highest devotion today: When you are brought face to face with a difficult situation and nothing happens externally, you can still know that freedom and release will be given because of your continued concentration on Jesus Christ. Although Chambers was not talking about our life's path, somehow this seemed to make sense just the same as my prayers dwelt this morning on staying on the narrow road, no matter what life throw's at us, not turning to the left or right...and if we do our paths will be made straight. Like Chambers said: And nothing happens externally...if we are on the right and narrow path and we come across something to impede our progress, just wait, just trust.

At times we may have to climb over a rock to stay on our path. Hopefully that's when we seek Jesus' help to get over. Or maybe there's a deep crevice or pit on that path...look up to Jesus there too. Always rely on Him first over other possible solutions. Those difficulties are there to strengthen us...and to show us if we rely on Jesus during those times, no matter what is flung before us, we can know that our release will be given...He will see us through providing we trust that Jesus is in control, guiding our steps and keeping that path straight.

In other words, if you're on the right path and a boulder suddenly appears, don't decide another path will get you to your destination. You might have to climb that boulder. Same with a hole in the ground. You may just have to go into it to get out...don't veer off the path. If you do you will find other obstacles and maybe more. He's there to help, but you must remain on His straight path.

There are several scriptures that talk about our walk with the Lord. They speak of trusting in His way being right so the path will remain straight, knowing it will be a narrow path and not turning to the left or right, and if you do you will find rest:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Therefore you shall be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. Thus says the Lord: “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls..." (Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 7:13-14, Deuteronomy 5:32, Jeremiah 6:16)

In the days ahead trusting in Him will be crucial. He is called the Ancient of Days. His days are without number. His old paths have stood the test of time because they are truth. He knows the beginning from the end. If we can't trust Him now it might be difficult to get in step or find that path later. We need to be in practice today.

Psalm 143:8 - Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.

No comments:

Post a Comment