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The Path of Righteousness
The Boy Scouts of America have a wonderful program for boys around the age of 12 to 14. Their motto is "Be Prepared." They teach all kinds of skills that are designed to profit a young man as he grows into manhood. Along with the skills, good manners and respect for others is taught. These young men are inculcated with a sense of duty to God, country, and family. One of the awards that can be earned is the "God and Country" badge. These young men, when properly applying themselves, should reach the coveted level of "Eagle Scout." This is about the same age level that a young Jewish lad is "Bar Mitzvahed." He has gone through extensive teaching and indoctrination and reached the point where he is considered a responsible citizen in the community.
All of this wonderful teaching is excellent, and serves a good purpose, but it does not prepare us for the many and various vicissitudes of life. The unexpected is always to be expected. As pointed out in the last Solomon’s Porch, " how can we avoid something we don't know is going to happen?" I heard someone, thinking negatively, once say, "If it can happen it will, and to me."
Is life today so complicated that there is no hope for the future? Are we to just rock along with the crowd and make the best of it. Knowledge and technology has far surpassed anything the previous generation could ever have imagined. Who ever thought, that one day you could take a picture with your cell phone, or for that matter who ever thought there would be such a thing as a cell phone? And computers take us one step beyond into the twilight zone.
Are we any better off with all of this? True, medical breakthroughs and discoveries have done much to extend our life span, but man (and women) still one day, will go the way of all flesh. They have not yet found a way to avoid that. So what lies ahead from that point? Is that the end, and all that time spent here on planet earth is meaningless? The Holy Bible, God’s infallible,(true) and immutable (never changing) Word tells us in Ecclesiastes 12:7 "then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." And just when did all that happen? "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7).
What then are we to do while we are here that will make any difference when that day comes and our body shall return to the dust of the ground and our spirit shall return to God who gave it? To what can we look , and to whom can we rely on for counsel and advice?
We have been given the Holy Bible which contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, its doctrines are holy. its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrims staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and Christians charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand object, our good the design, and the glory of God its end.
It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, a river of pleasure. It is given in life, will be opened at judgement. and remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its contents.
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).
Solomon’s Porch Thought for the Day
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:105
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