“The Wrong Side of the Road”....the Wayfarer 1/26/16

“The Wrong Side of the Road”
 1/26/16

“Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.”

(Proverbs 3:23)

“Preacher, your title and the verse you used to open with are polar opposites! What point could you possibly make out of this?”

On my way to a prayer breakfast, driving down a stretch of road that extended at least a few miles before any semblance of a town was to be found, I took notice of someone walking down the median between the lanes. It was fairly early, on a rather brisk and extremely cool day, which no doubt made any such walk uncomfortable at best, perhaps miserable.

My immediate thought was, “why are you walking down the wrong side of the road to get a ride, when there is so much traffic that someone would certainly stop to give you a ride, if only it were possible to do so,” Then I again realized that there are few of us still out there with the memory of misery when having to travel by foot because there was no one willing to help a travelling stranger, fewer still who have any memory of the kindness of strangers who cared enough to offer a ride and respite from the elements, cold, hot, rain, snow, any of those things that are faced while afoot in a world plenteous with the comfort and security of a vehicle of our own.

Being in the travel lane, not the passing lane, I had no choice of stopping, nor would I have had that choice from the other lane which lacks a shoulder to provide any safety to pull over from that lane, so I continued on to my destination, all the while wondering why the choice had been made to walk where no help was possible.

It was during the discussion that always accompanies these gatherings that I was informed that this particular walker often walked this stretch of road, and preferred the walk to the comfort of a ride given by a passing motorist.

I then recognized the fact that this particular walker was in fact no stranger to me, that I had before encountered the same person, walking on the correct side of the road to get a lift, stopped and offered that lift, once to be rebuffed and told that walking was preferable, despite the heat of another day, and once accepted on a particularly rainy and miserable day.

This traveler chooses to walk, when to walk, and when a ride is necessary, is picky about any help offered as to its acceptability, and if the walk is preferable to the proffered help.

There is no question in mind when making that choice of the safety of that walk, but there is a question as to the safety of the help offered, and any motive behind that offer.

I know all this from the conversation on a long past rainy and miserable day, when help was obviously needed and accepted. I make no claim of knowing much about the walker I speak of, only that when the conversation turned to God, the Good Samaritan, and other examples of help extended when needed, that talk was not rebuffed, but enthusiastically enjoined. When offered the business card from my little church and this web ministry, it was equally enthusiastically accepted.

This walker was not walking on the wrong side of the road at all, but chose to walk a more difficult path found to be more rewarding, which will finally bring us back to today’s chosen scripture.

“My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

For length of days, and long life, and peace shall they add to thee.

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

(Proverbs 3:1-6)

When we remember God’s laws and commandments, fear will flee, replaced by the surety of the path on which we have been set. It is only the departure from that path that should be feared, because departure brings a danger to all who do.

Mercy and truth are obvious, cannot be mistaken if real, and will be accepted when needed if given. Any path taken must be in ways that acknowledge God, or must be shunned for what they are… the wrong side of the road at a minimum, the wrong road altogether when the wrong side is followed for too long. Choices must constantly be made as to which side of that road to use, and which side will get you safely to your destination.

Having used this particular passage in the past, and often, I will leave the majority of it to be read by the reader to carefully dissect, carefully study and examine in regard to just where on your own path you find yourself. I will skip to the 19^th verse, to hopefully firmly establish the point intended by this message today.

The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:

So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely and thy foot shall not stumble.”

(Proverbs 3:19-23)

The only safety, the only solace, the only hope that we may ever truly have can come only through knowing and following God’s will, God’s unfailing promises, God’s unflagging and generous warnings that allow mercy and give the grace of His love when sought.

I dearly love the entire book of Proverbs, finding within them the same teachings given by Christ Jesus, the same requirements to receive blessings given by Him, the same undeniable warnings of all the pitfalls that occur throughout our lives easily avoided when walking on the right side of the road ,where true help is available for those willing to accept it.

Much of that help is to be found simply by turning to the pages of this precious book of wisdom given by those walking the right path, on the right side of the road.

Warnings, as I stated, are also given:

“For the forward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.

The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.”

(Proverbs 3:32-35)

Walk carefully, walk conscientiously; walk consistently toward a known destination.

Carefully choose what is true help being given, and be aware of the dangers posed by what would seem an easier path to take. Write the commandments and laws and teachings given by God on and within your heart.

When the baubles and promises made by political and societal correctness are offered, look carefully at what side of the road they place you on.

Cling to those things that are truly of God. Recognize, avoid and renounce those that are not which would place you on the wrong side of the road.

I close once more in prayer for all the wayfaring travelers, those strangers to the larger world, who have a clear destination in mind for themselves, made clear and guaranteed by God himself. I pray also for those who are on the wrong side of the road, that that realization of the fact that there can be no solace, no help, no possibility of arriving at any destination but the one they pursue, is available without first choosing to find the right side of the road, and a means to the destination actually intended for them.

I pray that they remember that that side of the road is only available with the promise of redemption through repentance:

“Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

I remain as always, a simple sinner once walking the wrong side of that road, but finding the means of becoming a sinner saved by grace through faith in a Guide, a Help who once sought provided that promised grace, and the promise of a safety that exceeds the bounds of a temporal and dangerous world ruled by those who would lead down the wrong side of that road if listened to, and given credence above the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE that I chose to follow instead.

I remain also the soldier, standing fast on that road, attempting to rally all to the willingness to grant that same security and promise available if only they choose to change lanes and accept the same Savior I did… the one named Jesus, the one who will not allow them to follow the wrong side of the road, but will keep them safely on the way to the final destination of His love, and with it, eternal life.

2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Amen and Amen
the Wayfarer