Today’s Scripture Reading: Isaiah 34:1 through Isaiah 35:10; Micah 2:1-5 through Micah 5:15
The phrase Life is a Highway has been used is several songs over the years. I can definitely see the similarity between life and a highway. The beginning of our life is like the beginning of a long road trip. Sometimes we have good road conditions and interesting places to visit along the way…and sometimes we don’t. Sometimes we have flat tires, fender benders, lose our way and go round in circles, and many, many times we forget to look at a road map or ask directions.
The writers of Life is a Highway is not the only person who likes to use the metaphor of a highway.
And a great road will go through that once deserted land.
It will be named the Highway of Holiness.
Evil-minded people will never travel on it.
It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways;
fools will never walk there.
Isaiah 35:8
During the Assyrian invasion, the highways were not safe (33:8), but during the Kingdom Age (the Millennial reign of Christ*) it will be safe to travel. There will be one special highway: “The Way of Holiness.” In ancient cities, there were often special roads that only kings and priests could use; but when Messiah reigns, all of His people will be invited to use this highway. ~ From Warren Wiersbe’s Be Comforted.
*Explanation mine
Matthew, the disciple of Jesus and the author of the first New Testament book also used a highway to get his point across to the New Testament Church.
You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell [the road that leads to destruction] is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Matthew 7:13-14
“The highway of Holiness” isn’t some 8-lane super highway, it’s only wide enough for one person—Jesus. He walks in front and you follow!
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible defines the word holiness as– apartness, holiness, sacredness, separateness. Holiness isn’t a particular denomination, a style of dress, or a list of rules; it’s a life-walk following Jesus so closely that you are stepping in His footprints.
Isaiah could speak from experience. God made it clear to him back in chapter 11 that He did not care if EVERYONE was taking the wide road, God wanted him on the narrow way.
Isaiah had a choice and so do we–Do we go the way of “Everybody’s doing it?” or do we go the narrow way, the highway of holiness?
Why would anyone choose the highway of holiness in a world where the wide road is so glamorous and enticing?
–Safety and protection along our journey, assurance of arriving at our destination (heaven), and living a life that points others to Jesus Christ. And… because our Lord said, “this is the way you should go!” (Isaiah 30:21)
Yes, life is like a highway…
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
From Robert Frost’s poem, The Road Not Taken
Heavenly Father, we know that each day we make the choice either to step in your footprints or step on the wide road. Give us the boldness to take the road not taken by most, so that we will live for you in such a way that others will come to know you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen and Amen!
I know I’ve shared this song before but it touched me as I thought about the Holiness of God.
Lord, teach me to be holy…
© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Micah 6:1-7:20; 2 Chronicles 32:1-8; 2 Kings 18:13-18; Isaiah 36:1-3; 2 Kings 19:20-37; Isaiah 36:4-22
