The Only Path to Travel

Just imagine Christian Readers, the tremendous feeling deep inside of you when you are alone with your thoughts of Jesus Christ and you realize just how much He comforts you in your walk through life, how He protects you during times of challenge and how He guides your steps when you are in tune with all He desires of you as a Christian follower. Sounds a little like the opening verse of Psalm 23, doesn’t it, “The Lord is my Shepherd”.

And when you end your day realizing your stomach is full, your other precious necessities of life, like water, clothing, shelter, etc., have added to other blessings that made your life that day seem very productive and meaningful – and mostly, happy, as you retraced each step in your thoughts. Truly, you feel as the Psalmist wrote, “I shall not want”. For, we surely do have a wonderful provider.

Indeed, we Christians are so blessed, yet sometimes no matter how we try, we sometimes stray, for as the Apostle John wrote, “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world”. So, sadly, we sin. The Psalmist recognized this and when we truly repent, He will, as He wrote, “He restoreth my soul”. In other words, He forgives our sins. What a wonderful blessing.

Now, imagine Christian readers, driving along an enjoyable but long-winding hill and as you reach the top, there in front of you is such unimaginable beauty striking your soul, so much so, that tears well up in your eyes. This scene is what is waiting for Christians, for as the Psalmist wrote, “He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for his name’s sake”. This is the path that leads to the Kingdom, the one that Jesus trod, and He will be in the Kingdom with us.

Yet, I believe how we live our lives will dictate our place in the Kingdom. The Psalmist wrote, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death”, meaning our lives from birth to that day when we close with death. Well, it will be during our lives when we will stray from the path of righteousness from time to time and it will be this straying that will dictate our place in the Kingdom. But, when we stray, it will be as the Psalmist wrote, “I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me”. Thank you, Jesus, your Holy Spirit will be there with the Laws and Commandments to encourage us to get back on the path. And, as true Christians, we will do so.

Here’s some great news, the Psalmist writes, “Thou prepareth a table before me in the presence of my enemies”. Amazing, isn’t it, no enemy can prevent our entrance to the Kingdom if we have been so directed to Christ by the Father. And Jesus will surely answer, John 6:37 assures us of this, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out”. So Wonderful! Wonderful! If we are under the Blood of Christ, we have our ticket, so to speak, to the glorious Kingdom.

Yet, now we come to the verse, “thou anointest my head with oil” and I believe it reflects a great reward, because the longer the times we can hold firm to the path of righteousness without straying, new or improved opportunities will flow into our lives. Perhaps they will take the form of enhanced health, long life, financial opportunities, closer ties with family and friends, new friends, opportunities to spread His Word and so on. Indeed, there can be so many blessings and opportunities that “our cup runneth over” And we have the beautiful promise, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life ….”

Finally, being under the Blood of Christ and trying our best to keep to the path, we have this additional promise, “And I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever”.

What a beautiful future lies ahead for true Christians.