06/21/2019
God knows us because we call on Him, we obey Him, and we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. His is a firm foundation, and in Him all things work together for good to those who love Him. If we love Him in this way, and we believe that His Word is truth, then we should know beyond all doubt that we are His, and what to expect from Him, but we should also know that He speaks to each of us individually. Do you pray as one who knows this? Is your life uniquely His, and how do you travel His Holy Highway?
“But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."”
2 Timothy 2:19 ESV
I have two friends who are brilliant gems in the hand of God. Both of these men are faithful, and both have been through much, and without a job for quite some time. I have prayed for them both over the years and asked the Lord to heal them when they were sick, strengthen them in their faith, provide for their families, and to find them the perfect job that would be consistent with their faith, or would place them in a position where He could use them mightily. In all of this God has been faithful. This week both contacted me to say that they had taken a job... one rejoiced, and the other was still looking for God’s presence in his new position. Their journeys in search of employment have been long, but so much wonder has transpired in that time as they journeyed in faith.
“And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.”
Isaiah 35:8 ESV
Each of us is unique, and like snowflakes... no two of us are the same. Our relationship with God, and Jesus Christ is equally unique... we are on a road of faith that is ours and ours alone. There are similarities between the path I walk and yours, but our Holy Way, as in every case, is handmade, and built to perfect only us.
“Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43:16-19 ESV
Almost every city and town has a street called Main Street, and although called by the same name they are different in almost every way. Each has a unique set of stores, owned by different people, some have homes along them, and although these ways run through the heart of the cities... they are travelled by different peoples, and each is seeking something that is peculiar to their life. Our Way of Holiness is like this. We have similarities, and are called by the same name, “Child of God”, and “Heir and Joint Heir with Jesus”, but the path each of us takes is as unique to us as the DNA in our bodies.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 ESV
We are told to make our home along the Holy Way, and teach our children of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit because their roads will eventually depart from ours as they work out their salvation, and they will face great hardship, or be lost if we don’t prepare them for their personal journey towards salvation.
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:12-13 ESV
So the two men who I have been praying for have each been traveling the Way of Holiness, but their Ways have been so very personal, and each one has been facing his own unique trials, and hardships. Yet as different... and in many ways similar... as their journeys have been, the Lord has brought them both a long way in their faith, and perfected each of them in that same faith individually. Now, after learning many things, they have both found employment, and the Lord has tailored those jobs to fit each one as He uses them in special ways to accomplish His will in this their next step... the next step along the Way of Holiness.
Do you look around and compare your journey with another’s? Do you lose heart because you are facing trials that you don’t see in another person’s life? Well, be comforted because your Way of Holiness has been designed and built to lead you to your own personal perfection, and salvation. Even in our similarities there are many differences. There is no one else on earth, or in all of creation past, that has been like you, and there is no Way that you can travel towards God that will perfect you like the one that your Holy Father has prepared for you. You are His, and He is cleansing you, perfecting you, and making you righteous and holy as you journey towards Him. Walk with Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and listen as they guide you, and lead you on.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for my uniqueness, and that you have made me like none other who has ever walked the earth. I thank you for the similarities that I have with others so that I will not feel totally alone in my journey, but help me see more clearly that my journey with you is ours alone, and that I must seek you in fear and trembling because it is my choice, and my responsibility to be in relationship with you, and to do those things which will be pleasing to you. Only I can love you, obey you, and honor you as I move along the Way of Holiness towards salvation, and an eternity with you. Give me encouragement in seeing the journeys of others, but never let me lose sight of the fact that my journey is mine alone. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who makes all things new, and unique. Praised be your name as you prepare a way for me, and set a place at your Table just for me. You are great, and you are Merciful Father, and it is by your grace that your glory shines forth, and every individual who seeks you is transformed in their distinctive lives to reflect your perfect image.
Rich Forbes