“Blessed is every one that fears the LORD; that walks in his ways. For you shall eat the labour of your hands: happy shall you be, and it shall be well with thee.” Ps 128:1-2
Every walk transverses territory. Every walk takes a direction and thus excludes other directions. Every walk takes us somewhere, or has a goal in mind. Our relationship with God is a walk from where we are to where He wants to take us. It involves progression, direction, and a destination. This progressive relationship is by nature first inward and then outward. The nature of the journey is conceived in the heart, translated to the mind, and transferred to the feet. While it begins inwardly, progress is not made until this desire to travel is transferred to the feet.
“Fear” in the above text means godly reverence. We do not fear God in the way we fear calamity. We fear God in the sense that we hold Him in awe and acknowledge His rightful position in our life. In this sense, fear or godly reverence is an inward quality. Then the outward expression of that reverence of God is expressed in our progressive relationship with Jesus. The inward reverence will produce an outward conduct which of course, will lead to great blessings. God’s ways are on display in everything that He communicates to man. And so a man who possesses an inward reverence of Him will seek to behave in a way compatible with God in every aspect of his life. Many people were always following Jesus. He was indeed the talk of the town and everyone wanted to see Him.
In Matthew 5, the crowd gathered again. But before speaking to them, Jesus pulled his disciples aside to impart on them. It was a call to be different and to see the world from God’s perspective. There is a distinct life style for all Christians; i.e “The Christian walk”, Paul says in Col 2:6. “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him,”. This is totally different from the way the world lives. -”you must no longer live as the Gentiles do” Eph 4: 17. God offers us a new life the moment we surrender to Him through our faith in the finished works of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Beloved brethren, Do those who see us see Jesus and are they convinced of our new life in Him? Do your personal appearances speak for or against Jesus? Walking with Jesus can be a very interesting and profitable experience. He does not owe anybody and so will reward abundantly all who walks in His ways and obey His commands. Today, many are only familiar with the words of Jesus and do not obey them. It is like everybody now has readymade answers for disobeying God. No wonder many are confused today and are being robbed of their divine blessings.
It is the plan of our Lord to take us places and make us wonders and amazement to all around us, but we must first take delight in walking in His ways. The way God sent the Israelites His word through Moses that, “Ye shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you.” (Deuteronomy 5:33), so his word is to us today. In spite of the blessings God promised Israel if they would walk in His way, they were not willing to completely forsake their ways and learn His ways. They backed off on many occasions but regretted their actions. If we are not ready to forsake our ways and follow our Lord’s ways, we are treading the path of regret and condemnation. But God forbid! May we never forfeit the blessings of walking in His ways and may He continue to grant us the grace to obey and reverence Him.
Have a blissful week as you walk along the path He has beaten for you, no matter the cost!
Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
S. Igein Isemede.