A Well Worn Path

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. – Psalm 16:11

A trip down memory lane.

My recollection some years later is of a flat rock, that was just outside of the boundary of a ball field.  This was the perfect rock.  It was just off of the beaten path, just high enough to sit on, and broad enough to eat a sandwich on.  It was also the perfect place to read, and pray.

The only drawback to this rock, however, was that it had brush growing around it, making it a difficult task getting to it.

‘’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.”

Our Christian life can sometimes be like this.  We know that we need to get to the Rock for nourishment, yet there is too much “other stuff” in our path.  Eventually, over time the “stuff” in the path becomes less, and less, as we go to the Rock.

This was the case for that particular rock.  After several trips, the path became much more defined, and clearer.  The more we become familiar with the Lord, and his purpose, the more the path becomes clearer.

Sadly, there are many people that think that there is some secret elixir for having joy.  Yet, joy stems from knowing Him, and His Word.  I love the old hymn, “‘’Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus.”  I believe it is an excellent summation of how to stay focused on the path of life.

‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to take Him at His Word;

Just to rest upon His promise,

Just to know, “Thus says 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;

Just in simple faith to plunge me

‘Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Refrain

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.

Refrain

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.

Refrain

Staying focused on the path.

Maintaining joy in the Lord comes from the ability to access the Rock!  Life can be very difficult.  CORRECTION:  Life IS very difficult! When we let life’s pitfalls keep us back from fellowship with the Lord, we may find our walk to be more difficult than it needs to be.

To stay on the path, look to the light.  Don’t look to the path to stay in the the light.

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; [10] That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; [11] Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; [12] Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: [13] Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: [14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: – Colossians 1:9-14

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. – 2 Corinthians 4:6

Bob Picard, Pastor, God’s Grace Bible Church, Millbury, Massachusetts

info@godsgracebc.org www.godsgracebc.org