And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
ISAIAH 35:8 KJV
In every generation, there have been those called the wayfarers, who walk solely according to the leading of the Lord and there are also the Vagabonds, who do what seems right in their eyes. Due to the imminent judgment of God over sin, majority of the world lies under the wrath of God, however, these wayfarers are those who have escaped the judgement of God, knowing fully well where they have come from, seek something better in God: A city built by God that is founded on righteousness, peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit, Hebrews 11:14-16. In todays meditation, we will consider the marks of this way, which Isaiah 35:8 calls the way of holiness and explore how we can judge ourselves to ensure that we are still in this way.
Yesterday, we saw that this way is a wilderness way. A way that very few tread because it has no appeal to the flesh. Exodus 13:17 showed that, when God brought Israel out of Egypt, His leading through the wilderness was intentional. Deuteronomy 8:2-3 says “And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.” One of the mark of the way is humility. The undoing of all who are vagabonds is pride. This is the original sin, the intent to be like God without His help. Jesus however, modelled the way of humility as seen in Philippians 2:1-6. Although being God, He humbled Himself and took on the nature of man, but He did not stop there. He took on no reputation and became low to the point of being killed and humiliated by the ones He came to save. God Himself is able to ensure we stay humble, by arranging situations around us to teach us humility. Jesus not only hung on the cross which was shameful enough, God did not allow Him die immediately. He heard the mockery while on that cross, but had to remain silent and obedient to God, Matthew 27:40.
Love is another mark of the way. Often times people complain about the ten commandments and how they are difficult to keep, however, it is important to note that prior to the Holy Spirit, there were men who kept all of the law to the ‘T’. Paul said that of all the commandment of the law he was blameless, Philippians 3:16. The rich young ruler also mentioned that he had kept the entire commandment since his youth, Matthew 19:17-22. If we cannot keep the commandments, we need to check ourselves to ensure we are still on the right path. The command of all who will walk the way is far greater than the ten commandments. Jesus commands us to love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, mind and strength and to love one another the way He loved us, Matthew 22:37-39. He who walks in love has fulfilled the entire law, Romans 13:8. The Lord Himself sits as a refiner of silver, patiently to purify all those who choose to walk this way, disciplining them, that they may be partakers of His righteousness, Malachi 3:3.
Isaiah 35 starts of saying that the wilderness and the solitary place will be glad for the wayfarers. This is simply because they have learned the way of humility. God’s way is to give grace and help to the humble and to resist the proud. It is the same reason that the vagabonds cannot stand the wilderness and would complain and murmur. Isaiah 32:15-17 shows that the Spirit of the Lord poured out to us is the only One who can turn the wilderness and dry land into blossoming and rejoicing. Immediately after this statement, there is a call to lift up the weak hands and strengthen the feeble knees. Lifting up the hands is a sign of surrender. Hebrews 12:3-13 shows that this is as a result of the discipline of the Lord. God scourges every son He receives, beating them into shape. This is done in love because all who partake of His righteousness and who approach Him must be Holy as He is. To confirm the feeble knees means that their place of devotion is being restored. By the spirit of burning and judgement the lord will purge his house. We are called to do away with uncleanliness. Psalm 119:1-10 speaks about the undefiled in the way and a prayer that our hearts may be taught to always keep His ways. The end result and the hope of pilgrims/ wayfarers is that we all will return to Zion, the city of the Great God and King, with gladness and Joy. All sorrow and mourning will flee away and there will be no more death for the wayfarers. Though our beginning on this way may seem less desirous and even foolish, as we walk with the Lord, in humility, in love, fearing Him and trembling at His Word, our later end will surely be glorious.
Prayer for today: Lord Jesus, Your Word says joyful are those who obey Your laws and search for You with all their hearts. These do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in Your paths. You have charged me to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect Your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with Your commands. As I learn Your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! Do not let me wander from Your way of Life, but plant my feet firmly in this path of life. (Psalm 119:2-7)
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