The freshly delivered millions of Jews stood on the Egyptian side of the Red Sea, still reeling from the events of the past few days. Now what? Which way should they go? Most had never traveled more than five miles from their birthplace. The Red Sea seemed to be out of the question, and, even if they got through or around the water, nothing but uncharted wilderness lay beyond. Philistia seemed like the logical direction. Imagine their shock when God pointed to the Red Sea! God’s way led them in a circuitous route, opposite of the way that made more sense to the travel agents. God’s way was a wilderness road. It did not factor in comfort, profit, pleasure or human pride.
Every person seeks for a way in, a way out, a way up, a way down, a way around, a way through, a way across, a way by. But the road too often eludes us. Things are not always what they appear to be. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12. Leaders have echoed this sentiment since the day it was written. It applies to virtually every venue of life. The “way that seems right” looks like a sure bet, a safe gamble, a secure investment. Encouraged by so-called friends, affirmed by popular consensus, and supported by disinterested third parties, it takes the form of a harmless drink, an insignificant relationship, a temporary fling. But, the very phrase “a way” is not harmless, insignificant or temporary. It is charged with importance throughout the Scriptures. David wrote, “Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way.” Psalm 2:12. A way of truth exists that is God’s way as opposed to the countless ways that compete as alternative ways.
The term alternative bears scrutiny here. Alternative lifestyles; alternative selections: alternative philosophies. Sound familiar? But, once you legitimize one alternative, then you legitimize a second, a third, a fourth, and so on, without end. Consequently, you’ve reduced the right way to just another alternative! So, if I say that Jesus is the only way to be saved, and you convince me that Chemosh is another way, then I have demoted Jesus from everything down to just an alternative. Indeed, the educational community’s diversity philosophy wants to see Christianity lowered to the status of just another religion. In fact, they would like to eliminate Christianity and the Holy Bible as even an alternative choice.
“There is a way that seems right.” Exercise great caution here . Eve’s right way led her straight through the forbidden fruit. Cain’s way to peace was to murder his brother. Lot’s right way was the well-watered plains of Jordan. Sarah simply knew that the right way was for Hagar, the bond-woman, to bear Abraham a son. Esau sold his birthright with confidence. They all thought they knew the outcome. But, personal analysis, gut feelings and carnal advice ended in destruction.
What about you? Do you check first to see what makes the most sense? Do you instinctively copy what the majority does? Do you do what seems to be most profitable? Do you take the path of least resistance? Does the pain monitor influence your decision-making? I submit to you that the first question you need to ask is, “What does God say?”
God’s way is seldom convenient. “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14.
There is a way that seems right, but don’t forget, there is a way that IS right! “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6. It is no wonder that the Apostle Paul said, “That I may know Him, in the power of his resurrection and in the fellowship of his suffering.” Jesus IS “The Way!” Reject the way that seems right and take the way that IS right!