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Straight Ahead


Look straight ahead; don't even turn your head to look.
Watch your step. Stick to the path and be safe.
Don't sidetrack; pull back your foot from danger.
Proverbs 4:25-27

Our journey with the Lord requires faith that places our hope and trust in Him. Without faith, we will not be able to please Him. Without pleasing God, this journey will be tough and unpleasant. How long can two persons walk together on the same journey without any mutual agreement and friendship? How can we walk with God when we do not believe or trust every Word that He said in His Holy Bible?

The Lord is leading us to walk in His paths of righteousness. These paths are lighted by His Word. His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light for our paths (Psalm 119:105). He is leading us to dwell in safety, besides still waters and upon green meadows. Even at times when wars and uncertainties arise, we will fear no evil. He is there with us. His peace reigns. Even before the presence of our enemies, He will prepare a table for us to drink and feast with Him. His goodness will surely follow us all the days of our life.

But our hearts are always wondering and wandering. How can it be? We question His Word. We doubt His faithfulness to His Word. Is He still Almighty God? Is it really You, O Lord? Did I hear You correctly? Did I make a mistake? Do You make a mistake? Where are You when I needed You? Is the Bible authentically correct without any errors? Is Jesus the Messiah? Will we make it to the end? Will we survive? Will our faith stand in times of persecutions, trials and tribulations? Will we betray Christ? Or will we be true to Him? We wander as we wonder. As we wonder about the Truth, we will wander away from the Truth.

One thing remains: His Word. Jesus said:

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. (Matthew 24:35)

For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:18-19)

Jesus Christ, the Word of God, is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Our faith is founded upon His Word. Not one verse more or one commandment less. Apart from this solid foundation upon which we stand, the Word of God, all other ground is sinking sand. Our relationship with God is a covenant relationship. This relationship is based on a covenant, namely His Word, and not some wishy-washy feelings or sentiments.

Every Word of God will be tested. In fact, all godly men of God will be tried and tested by the Word of God.

Abraham was tested by His Word that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars and that he would be the father of many nations. The sacrifice of Isaac was the ultimate test for this promise.

God gave Joseph some dreams. These dreams were tested in the prisons and dungeons of Egypt. Until the time that His Word came to pass, the Word of the LORD tested the heart of Joseph (Psalm 105:19).

Moses was called to deliver the people of Israel out of Egypt. This calling was tested again and again by God hardening the heart of the Pharaoh. Through the 10 deadly plagues, God brought forth the deliverance! The nation of Israel was born as she came out of Egypt.

As we journey with Him, it is good to keep a journal to record dates, scriptures, words, insights, prayers, dreams, visions and remarks. These daily entries will record wisdom and understanding as our hearts wait on the Lord and our minds meditate on His Word. They will strengthen our spiritual life as we testify of His goodness and His greatness! They will also be great archives of our life whereby we can collect and recollect, remembering and recalling those lessons taught and learnt. We will somehow need them someday.

One of my past journal entries was based on The Living Bible (TLB) version of Proverbs 4:25-27:

Look straight ahead; don't even turn your head to look.
Watch your step. Stick to the path and be safe.
Don't sidetrack; pull back your foot from danger.

They will bring great encouragements and also godly perspectives when we are at the crossroads of our life. In today’s language, they will read:

  • Straight ahead
  • No U-turn
  • Be careful
  • Stay on the path and be safe
  • Don’t turn to the right or the left
  • Flee from temptations

I will conclude this article with the lyrics of one of my favorite hymns, ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus. May this song be a timely and constant reminder that we need to take Him at His Word, resting upon His promise and acknowledging that He is God:

‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, "Thus saith the Lord."

Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I'm so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

Written on:
24 March 2004