Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
John 16:32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
I had one of those nights where I was awakened by the call of nature and had a difficult time going back to sleep. As I lay there I was thinking about the gate that only those who accept Christ can enter. I thought how we can only go on that narrow way by ourselves, while we may have people who love us, who pray for us, who we see every day – there are still times that we are by ourselves.
We may find ourselves alone because we are just alone for a time, or we may find ourselves deserted by our friends and left to our own devices to survive whatever crisis we are facing. However, we are never truly alone, as God was with Christ, so too is He with us. But it did get me to thinking about those lonely stretches of path we travel on that narrow way.
I don’t like to ask for help, I like to think I can handle the situations that confront me. It is one of my weaknesses, I know I can’t do things by myself, but it is difficult to admit it. I guess I just hope God understands and helps me when I need it whether I admit it or not – and he has done that often for me.
But I do know that Christ IS with us, we know He has sent His Holy Spirit to comfort us, we know that God has sent angels to protect His people many times. I know a few days ago I said, it really doesn’t matter how he does it, but that he does; while I still believe that, in the o-dark-thirty hours this morning I got to thinking of how would I protect my people on that lonely road to heaven if I were Him.
2 Kings 6:16-17 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lordopened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
This is what “I,” and emphasis on “I” not that I have biblical reference for this, would protect my people. The path we walk on, of course, is the path we take through life to serve Him.
I do believe that the narrow way is paved; it is paved with the blood of Jesus. It is impervious to any destruction, any weed cast about by satan to make the path impenetrable or anything to make us stumble. He has NO access to that path – he cannot walk on it, he cannot destroy it; we have completely sound footing on that narrow path.
We will face many battles with satan along that path and many of those battles will be ambushes. The path is straight and presses on far beyond our ability to see, for at the end comes our physical death and our transformation into our heavenly bodies. Since we do not know that time or that moment, the gates are beyond our sight.
While satan cannot enter that path or obstruct our way on it, I envision satan having many pretty things scattered next to the path, things that will entice us into leaving it where we are vulnerable to his wiles and deception. He will do things that will cause us to look from the path, become intrigued and perhaps leave God’s path and join him in his debauchery. He can only lure us, he cannot reach over the path to grab us. Satan can insult us and place obstacles in a way that if we are not mindful appear to be in our path, but we are safe as long as we keep our eyes forward and stay in the center of God’s will – the center of that path. We can use the resources God has given us to overcome satan’s forces.
But God knows we are human, so I would envision a protective force about us as we walk along that path. This is how ‘I’ would set it up:
Since we are in an acknowledged spiritual battle I will have my armor of God on and be in close communication with Him; never letting the line to be broken so I could gather intelligence and knowledge as I walk that path.
Behind me I would have powerful forces that protect me from satan coming up from behind me to overpower me with his lies about my salvation. These would be my rearguard to keep him from reminding me of past failures and broken promises. They would remind me that Jesus has abolished those deeds forever under His Saving Blood. They tell me they have my back, and I cannot go back in time, telling me to always look forward - down that glorious path.
On both sides of me would be columns of angels that would help keep me from straying. As satan seduces with his alluring sins or try to make me afraid with his slings of insults and assaults as I walked along the path, they would keep me in the center of the path and away from the temptation, striking out against the forces of evil that would entrap me. If I should start to stray they would step in front of me and show me where I am risking my relationship with God for a moment’s pleasure – they could not stop me for I know I have a will, but they would do all within their power to discourage me.
Hopefully I am wise enough to listen and follow them back to the center of the path, using their guidance and God’s armor to protect myself, and, if necessary working my way back to the center of God’s will for me.
In front of me would be the forward angels clearing the way, keeping the forces of satan back as far from the path as they can so I cannot hear or be lured in with his soothing manner and voice. Warning me of ambushes which lay alongside the path by satan and destroying them as they find them; and if they cannot they would help prepare me for the battle and join me in it.
They will help me keep on track in my service to God and will enable me to stand strong in the face of adversity – even if they might have to hold me up to do so – as the men had to hold Moses’ hands up in the Israelites battle against Amalek so Israel could be victorious.
I have nothing to fear from overhead for God is over me as His Hand protects the entire length of the path.
Lastly this battalion of angels would escort me triumphantly through those golden gates into the presence of God in heaven and rejoice with me as I meet Jesus. They would pat me on the back, hug me and congratulate me – then go to God to be assigned to another sinner saved by His Grace for their walk along God’s narrow path.
Yep, that is what “I” would do, but the fact is God does protect us in ways we have no understanding and it really is enough to know that He loves us and wants to bring us home as a victorious child; one who has fought the good fight and is now ready for rest with Him. In the meanwhile, I do know that I never walk alone, He is always with me.
From the ColumbiaRiverGorgeous
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