We have Joy because Jesus Guides Our Path

Photo by Landon Monday

Ought to have been blog post 12/16/16

Scripture: Isaiah 35:8-10

A highway will be there, a roadway, And it will be called the Highway of Holiness.  The unclean will not travel on it, But it will be for him who walks that way, And fools will not wander on it.  No lion will be there, Nor will any vicious beast go up on it; These will not be found there.  But the redeemed will walk there, And the ransomed of the Lord will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion, With everlasting joy upon their heads.  They will find gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Insights: Today’s verses conclude these thoughts this week on joy and how Jesus provides this joy to us.  In today’s thoughts we see Jesus guiding us down the path of holiness.  Only those who are born again are permitted to travel down this road.  Notice with me how those ransomed by the Lord traverse this roadway, with joyful shouting and with everlasting joy on their heads.  These adventurers find gladness and joy and all their sorrow and sighing flee them.  I think this truth is pretty profound and worth noting.  I think the best fictional work that portrays a believers journey down this Highway of Holiness is John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress.  In this story Christian is tempted off of the road on many occasions and it chronicles his journey back to the road and finally the celestial city.  Beloved, Satan, hates you and desires to steal your joy.  He will do whatever he can to distract you from remaining on the path.  He will put inappropriate relationships in your path.  He will put greed for the things of this world in your path.  He will fill you with justifications that will turn into hatred toward others in your path.  He will lie to you and cheat you, but it will all be done to get you off of the path which leads to joy in the Lord.  Jesus walks this path with those who are His.  It is my prayer you keep your eyes transfixed on the Savior and enter into His joy and rest.

Questions:

 1. On what path are you walking?

 2. Is joy produced in your life know Jesus is your personal guide on this journey?

Prayer: Father, thank You for guiding my path and leading me down the highway of righteousness.  I am allowed on this path only because You saved me.  My life is forever joyful because of Your redemptive work.  Thank You, Lord.  Amen.

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