Devotional: The Path Week 4

The Path

November 25, 2012

Matthew 25:31-33

“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.”

The Lord is the judge.  We are called to be sheep.  We are called to follow the shepherd.  We are given a path to walk that leads us to a meaningful and full life.  How we choose to walk that path matters.  Among the sheep are goats.  Goats do not follow.  Goats do not accept the guidance of the shepherd.  Goats got their own way.  The Lord will separate the sheep and the goats.  Let’s remember, sheep do not earn their status as sheep.  It is simply who they are.  Yet a sheep follows the shepherd.  A Christian does not earn salvation.  They are saved because of Christ’s work.  Simply being a Christian changes how we act.  We must live out what we believe.

Jesus goes on to describe the difference between the sheep and the goats.  The sheep are told; For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.  I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.  The goats failed to do these things.  When did these things happen? ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’  

The judge of all humanity seems to place a high value on caring for others.  He rewards those who sacrifice.  He protects those who serve.  A Christian is known by the love they have and what they do with that love.  A loving heart cares for people simply because God’s heart cares for people.  It’s simple and clear.  If we want to walk the path of God we must love as God loves.  How’s your heart?  What do you see when you look at people?  Is that what God sees?  

The Path Week 3

The Path

November 18, 2012

Matthew 7:13-14

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it.  For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Our lives are moving us down a specific road to a specific gate that leads to a specific end.  The hard road to the narrow gate leads to life while the easy road to the wide gate leads to destruction.  Jesus doesn't give a lot of wiggle room in this statement.  It’s very clear which way is best and which way Jesus wants us to go.

So why the hard road to the narrow gate?  The image is dramatic isn't it.  Couldn't God make life easier?  I wonder, is greatness ever easy?  Make no mistake, the Lord’s desire is that we live amazing lives that impact this world for generations after us.  Greatness doesn't just happen.  It takes time, attention to detail, and a lot of effort.  It is a disciplined life.  Living the great life God has planned of us requires us to make choices and take action.  Often those choices will require us to go against the flow of our culture and society that tends to work against God and embrace sin.  Living God’s way isn't easy not because God made it hard as much as it puts us against the sinful, wrong things of this world.  Let’s consider…

Everything in this world has two aspects—how it looks at the moment, and how it will look in the time to come. The easy way may look very inviting at the moment, and the hard way may look very daunting. The only way to get our values right is to see, not the beginning, but the end of the way, to see things, not in the light of time, but in the light of eternity.^[1]

Let’s take the more challenging path.  Let’s work and strive for greatness in the Lord.  Let’s live for eternity and not for the moment.  Let’s make the choice to follow the path that leads to life.

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^[1] The Gospel of Matthew: Volume 1, ed. William Barclay, The Daily Study Bible Series (Philadelphia, PA: The Westminster John Knox Press, 1976), 280.

The Path Week 2

The Path

November 11, 2012

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.  He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.  He renews my strength.  He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.  Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.  You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.  You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.  Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.                                              Psalm 23

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water.  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.                                                                       Revelation 7:17

The Lord is our shepherd.  He gives us what is needed for us to live.  He will lead us through difficult places and into good places.  He is hope.  He is strength.  He blesses.  He provides a home.  Psalm 23 uses two images to help us understand the Lord’s guidance for our lives.  The first is the image of shepherd.  The shepherd cares for the sheep.  He leads them to places where they are safe and will thrive.  He protects them from danger.  Without the shepherd, the sheep become lost, vulnerable, and isolated.  The Lord is OUR shepherd and we are the sheep.  With him we have what we need.  Without him we are in danger.

The second image is that of a home.  The house of the Lord.  The guidance of God has a destination in mind.  It is not aimless wandering in the wilderness of life.  The guidance of the Lord is purposeful.  In the house of the Lord there is a throne.  On that throne sits the lamb that was slain (for us).  In that home, God wipes away every tear.  It is a good home.  It is the destiny that God has for us.  Will we follow the shepherd?  Will we allow ourselves to be led beside peaceful streams and through the dark valley of death?  Will we trust God to show us the way home?  Let’s follow him today. 

The Path - Week 1

The Path

November 4, 2012

Psalm 25:4-10

Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow.  Lead us by your truth and teach us, for you are the God who saves us.  All day long we put our hope in you.  Remember, O LORD, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past.  Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.   Remember us in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O LORD.   The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray.   He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.  The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

There is a right path for us to follow.  God has prepared this path.  He calls us to it.  He will show us the way.  He is the only one who can show us this path.  He is the only one who can lead us the right way.  His guidance is not forceful.  He does not angrily herd us in the direction He wants us to go.  The Lord operates with compassion and unfailing love.  The one who knows the right path is the one who loves us most. 

The problem is that many don’t walk this path.  Many want to forge their own trail in life.  Many pride themselves on taking charge of their lives and going it alone.  Somewhere along the line the idea of being guided became somehow less than going it alone.  This is a false reality.  Living in it leads us astray and off the right path.  The goal of the church and the goal of all Christians is to follow God.  Following God requires us to walk the path He has prepared for us.  When we go astray He will lead us back, but we must first be willing to allow Him to guide us.

The Lord leads.  The Lord is good.  The Lord loves.  The Lord is faithful.  Our response to the Lord should always be humility and openness to His guidance.  The promise is sure.  If we follow the Lord, obey Him, and remain faithful He will show us the right path.