No. XIX: The Believer’s Pathway
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No. XIX
Prov. 3.6: The Believer’s Pathway
Believers are ever under the watchful eye of their heavenly Father. Through Christ, they have chosen him as their portion. and they are assured, if making him supreme and submitting to his guidance, that he will direct their paths.
Perhaps, however, often their views of his guidance will be erroneous.
Opinions, founded upon appearances, are not always right. This is true, not only in this matter, but in many others. Man is by nature impatient. He often rushes to a conclusion before the facts are fully disclosed. And this tendency has an evil influence upon his practice as well as his opinions. It sometimes prevents him from doing what he is convinced is right and persisting in it, whether popular or unpopular, until the proper results are evident, even if he must pass off the stage of life before they are seen, and in eternity learn that they are produced.
Even Elijah, though still attached to the cause …
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was deceived by appearances. He was a signal target for the marksmen, and many were the shafts aimed at his life. From what he saw, he concluded, that he stood alone. Fleeing from his persecutors, he sheltered himself in a cave on Mount Horeb. The word of the Lord came, "What doest thou here, Elijah?" and a portion of his reply was, "I, even I only am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." But God, rebuking his impatience and want of confidence by the tempest, the earthquake, the fire, and the still small voice, commissioned him to anoint Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha; and assured him, "Yet have I left seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him."
So, as to God's directing our or others' paths, we must not always judge by appearances. The idea is very common, that success or the want of success shows approval or its opposite. But, wait. It maybe, that what is now upon the rising wave, inviting admiration, rebuking whatever does not lift the voice in praise, will ere long fall from its dizzy height, and be covered in its
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cunning - a hissing and a byword to every beholder. On the other hand, what is now struggling for life, hooted at for its lowliness, and scouted for its indulgence of any pretensions, will by perseverance or some favorable providence arise from its feebleness, and show itself based upon truth and found to live and prevail. To test the value of what is right, by present success, is like casting the priceless diamond upon the frothy ocean; and concluding, because it does not float, like the cork, that it has no inherent merits.
Appearances are often deceitful. The sun may be shining upon the darkest cloud. Infinite wisdom is at the helm. The creature of yesterday cannot grasp all the doings of him of eternity.
God leads each one, whose paths he directs, in the manner best adapted to his peculiar condition. Sometimes it is through the storm, that endurance may be learned; or in the night, lest the sun should scorch the tender plant; or in the day, that the fruit may not be without the mellowing influence; in prosperity or adversity, as either will be best suited to the immortal spirit.
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Then, it may be well to consider, that God in his guidance may not prevent us from enduring some severe trial.
In a world cursed by sin, imperfectly sanctified ourselves, and coming into constant contact with those whose passions are as little or less restrained than our own, some painful scenes must be expected. In a moment, from comparative wealth we may be reduced to poverty. Disease is abroad; and ourselves or those we love may linger long and suffer much under its influence. Man is uncertain; and the tie of friendship may be readily severed. Death has his commission, securing a claim upon the children of men; and while his time none can certainly tell, his approach is sure, and trials in some form are always his attendants.
Religion does not propose, while earth is in its fallen condition, to destroy all the ills of life. It presents, however, a cup by which we may take away much of their sting. It shows how many of them may be avoided. It fortifies the soul, so that they can be more easily borne. It teaches how they can prepare us better to live. And it gives somewhat of the feeling and view
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of the apostle, who could glory even in tribulations.
Many in olden time endured trials, although God was the director of their paths. Abraham, Samuel, Daniel and others, men whose trust was in Jehovah, who had made him their portion, and who were peculiarly regarded by his watchful eye, often found earth to be thorny, even while they were rejoicing in their God. Many, "of whom the world was not worthy," suffered intensely; yet they were upheld by his power amid all the tempests of human rage and barbarous cruelty, to which they were unjustly exposed.
Life is a region of sunshine and storms. While we may be cheered by the one, we should not expect wholly to escape the other. Still, trusting in God, though the winds howl and the torrents descend, the bow of love will brighten to our gaze, and the heart exist to observe the command, "Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice."
But, though trials may exist, God in directing the believer’s pathway will guide correctly, wisely, safely.
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A correct or good conscience is a cheering guest. If a man hear conscience, and is not unhappy because of the inflictions of this monitor, his quiet is but of a negative character - the absence of remorse. Still, he is a loser - a great loser. He loses all that enjoyment, which this faculty is capable of imparting, and does impart to him who feels himself in the right path - a relish for and a partaking of a continual feast. And this is a blessing enjoyed, if under the guidance of God. Whatever may be the state of things without, within is peace; yea, more than peace, the positive approval of the judge within; and more even than this, an emotion of pleasure known only by those who feel its power.
Wisdom is an attainment, which has some real and many professed admirers. And though the wisdom of this world is now in higher repute than that of Heaven, the day will arrive when the latter will receive the meed of praise. At times in this life, as in the pestilence, the tornado or the wreck, the man who is
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illumed from on high is deemed the wise one, even by those who, when out of apparent danger, may have ridiculed or at least slighted his belief and practice. It will ever be true, however, whether admitted in this life or not, that he who purposes, plans and lives under God’s direction pursues the path of wisdom, walks wisely and walks well.
And safety must be his portion, who has the One of infinite wisdom and almighty power for his guide. As well fear, that the throne of God will crumble, and He pass away who sitteth thereon, as fear for his security whom God directs. A foreign vessel comes nigh our shores. Ignorant of our coast, the commander hoists the signal, and the skillful pilot arrives. If nothing adverse occurs, the director keeps the noble ship from the quicksand here and the hidden rock at another point, and gallantly she presses on her way through the well-known channel, until she anchors safely in the destined port. Or, the traveller is in a land of dangers. He secures the company of one of mighty prowess and
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dauntless heart, whose trusty blade has often caused the ruffian to give back; and whose reputation is such, that when he is the guide the plunderers despair of success. Yet, such illustrations are imperfect. Indeed, this must ever be the case, when by things of earth we aim to compare those of heaven. But, if the painting fails, not thus the reality. God is mighty, God is wise; he can protect, he can guide. The road of the present life is not the whole of existence. Man lives forever. If the believer seem sometimes fainting here, it is only to rise with new vigor. If he expire at the rack, in the flame, on the gibbet, it is but to awake, freed from mortality, subject to no more fears, in the presence of God, holy and happy forever.