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The Hard Way

Proverbs 13:15, “Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.”

The will of the Lord is spoken of throughout scripture. His temporal will for His children at times is easy to see, and other times will require us to pray and meditate diligently to have a glimpse. When asked, I often tell Bible students to always remember that God’s will for His children will never separate them from following His commands. The Lord will never lead His children in a path away from His fellowship and service. But we often have times when we want things our way. I heard a story about a preacher who wanted things his way when called to pastor a Church that was located a long distance from where he and his wife presently lived. He came home and asked his wife to start packing the bags while he prayed. The Bible teaches us that he should have prayed first.

Question: what happens when we fail to follow God’s commands? What happens when we fail to follow God’s temporal will? The answer is quite broad and the Lord is sovereign to deal with His children as He pleases. The Lord is very merciful and longsuffering, but we know from the truth of scripture that the way of those who turn from the Lord’s will is a difficult path. People in the Bible like Jonah, Lot and Noah (Genesis 9:20-24) are examples of this fact. Life is tough enough without us making it tough by our own foolish choices. I’m afraid to think what my life would have been like without the Lord’s help.

Our study verse teaches us that the way of the transgressors is hard. As my grandpa used to say, “It’s a tough garden row to hoe.” If we want to make life easier, we should be very diligent to walk as close to God as possible. Jeremiah 6:16, “…Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls…” May the Lord bless us to be humble to His temporal will. Isaiah 66:2, “…but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” Always remembering Luke 12:48, “…For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:…”

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