12/03/2018
When you are struggling, suffering, or wandering, where do you go, and in who do you place your trust? If you go to men or institutions then you are preparing yourself for disappointment, but if you seek out God, then you will find relief and salvation in Him that is certain, and will not fail you, and the realization that all paths to Him lead through Jesus Christ.
“Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.”
Psalms 20:6-8 ESV
We like to think that God can be found in places, buildings, doctrines, and certain men and women, yet although there are some churches that seem to conform more to the commandments of God, and the teachings of Jesus, they are just places of rest and refreshment in our quest along our pilgrimage route towards God Himself, but like springs that dry up, or good seasons that become droughts, they are temporary and contain only shadows of what we really search for.
“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.”
Psalms 62:5-7 ESV
And as we seek Him, we eventually will come to the realization that all roads converge... we find our way to God merges into one infallible and perfect path... through His Son Jesus Christ alone. Scripture tells us this specifically in the words of Jesus...
“Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."”
John 14:6-7 ESV
So although there are many distractions, and places we might rest, beware of those that claim to be the way, or that entice you to remain, and not search any further. No matter how good they seem, how holy they appear to be, or how much strength and understanding they seem to give you and your faith... there is but one God, and one Son who can lead you to Him.
Only God is good.
“And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments."”
Matthew 19:17 ESV
Only God is Holy.
“"There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.”
1 Samuel 2:2 ESV
Only God the creator is forever strong.’
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.”
Isaiah 40:28-29 ESV
I was reading my devotional this morning and in it Andrew Murray, who was educated and steeped in the orthodox, and Dutch, church, a man who was taught to place great emphasis on church and religion, made a surprising statement that reinforced in me the belief that although there are many places of rest, sustenance, and comfort, along our ways, none but God is our destination, and none but Jesus the way...
“There will be plenty of fellow Christians who will entice you to put your trust in churches and doctrines, in schemes and plans and human devices, in special men of God, and in special ways of receiving grace. The ark and the temple gave false confidence. Let the living God alone, and none other but Him, be your hope.” - Andrew Murray
Then Murray based this statement on the following scripture to illustrate his point...
“He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan). He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him.”
2 Kings 18:4-5 ESV
As Christians we will walk the pilgrimage path towards God for our entire lives, and many will walk alongside us as we travel our way. Some will be churches, some men of God, and some doctrines that will help us along the way, but there will only be one that we can lean on to enlighten us, the Holy Spirit, and but one constant companion that will abide with us, and in us, while revealing the truth of who God is, and how we can find Him... Jesus Christ. Many will come and go, and some will fall away entirely, but in Jesus, and the Holy Spirit we can find true and steadfast companions as we journey through life towards God.
In Jesus is life..
“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
1 John 5:11-12 ESV
In the Spirit is understanding...
“Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.”
1 Corinthians 2:12-13 ESV
When walking your way through life towards your destination with God, choose your companions wisely, and accept from them the help they are able to offer, but trust only in the Spirit and Jesus to travel with you each and every day... because in them lies the true knowledge of eternity, holiness, and God.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for having placed me on this path towards knowing you, and thank you for your Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ who accompany me, and guide my steps along the way. Thank you Father for the revelation that only through your Son Jesus can I come to you, and that by your Holy Spirit I will be given comfort and understanding. As I travel Lord, keep me moving forward, and let nothing cause me to tarry longer than is necessary that I might gain refreshment. Let no earthly refuge entice me to stay, and no man convince me that the road I travel is through him. Give me unwavering faith in your Son Jesus, for He is “the way, and the truth, and the life.” Great are you my God, and greatly to be praised. There is no destination that lies beyond my life which is true except for you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you in whom Jesus abides, even as I abide in Him. On the day when my journey finds its end in you, and I dine at your table throughout eternity, I will sing of your glory, and tell of this adventure you placed before me. I will speak of the great joys, the deep suffering, the precious loves, and the love’s lost for a time; I will speak of the quickening of my spirit, and the truths of your Word, and I will rejoice in the temptations resisted that I might continue on to this table. Praised be your name Holy Father, now and forevermore!
“Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 ESV
Rich Forbes