Isaiah 35:8 “A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray.”
Are you walking along the Highway of Holiness?
David desired to know this path….
Psalm 5:8 “Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight before my face.”
Jesus taught about this path while ministering to His disciples…
Matthew 7:14 “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Solomon recognized the wisdom in following this highway….
Proverbs 11:5 “The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.”
Peter also knew this way and what it happens when you don’t follow…
2 Peter 2:15 “They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;”
So…..what are the characteristics of this highway that might help us not only pursue this path but successfully complete the journey?
- The way is illumined by the Word of God.
Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
You will not be forced to walk this journey in darkness. The path is made clear by God’s Word. The way for a weary wanderer to find this path is by pursuing God’s Word and following it.
2. Only the righteous may travel on this highway.
Proverbs 4:18 “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”
What starts as a reminder of our separation from God, turns into a joyful journey in freedom from the curse of sin. The gospel can’t help a prospective pilgrim understand the fullness of walking this path, it primarily lets people know their way leads to death. The Spirit of God brings conviction of sin, draws people unto righteousness, and then shows them the door to new life.
3. The beginning of the journey starts with Jesus Christ.
Matthew 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.”
The gate is narrow for a reason. For one, you enter this journey alone. There are those who show you the gate and walk you right up to it, there are also those that are on this highway of holiness and walk with you, but entering the gate is up to you. Secondly, the gate is narrow because Jesus is the door. There are no other ways to enter this highway, there is no other ‘version’ of Jesus that will do. You have to accept who Jesus declared Himself to be; the Son of God and then trust Him for the path that He provided.
4. The highway ends at Jesus.
James 1:12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
For those who persevere, who run the race faithfully, there awaits a crown of life that Jesus gives as a reward. There are some who try to run alongside this highway without ever entering upon it. This false journey lacks the joy and strength that Jesus provides because they refuse to trust that Christ will lead them faithfully. At the end of the journey, on a path they chose to mimic by not following God’s lead, they will find there is not a reward but rather a rebuke, “I never knew you”, will be Jesus’ response.
5. The highway does not deviate from its intended course.
Proverbs 15:24 “The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.”
Those who are careful about the path they choose will find that God’s Highway is the only one that is perfect in wisdom. Those who are led on the path of life cannot be dissuaded, nothing will stand in their way, and no scheme of Satan can remove them from God’s intended purpose. Jesus takes hold of your hand and does not let go. For someone to tear you away from His grasp would require them to overcome God Himself and that is just not going to happen.
6. Many have traveled this highway before us.
John 1:23 “He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”
We can know the way leads to life because we have the testimony of those who have traveled it faithfully. The Bible is more than an account of interesting facts and historical evidence, it is a living testimony of God’s faithfulness in people throughout history. More importantly, we can take solace in knowing that Jesus walked this path as well. God would never lead us down a road that He hasn’t already prepared for us.
7. Enjoy the journey.
Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
The path of life can be difficult, it can sap your strength and leave you exhausted by its course. Nothing that is worthwhile is easy. We can take comfort in the fact that we are not left to trod this path alone. The presence of the Lord brings joy each day, He gives strength to the weary traveler and causes you to delight even in the midst of trial. For those who who endure to the end there awaits great reward.
Zion awaits…the City of Gold will be the holy habitation for those complete the journey.
Do you want to go there? Zion waits for you…the King of glory promises to never leave you nor forsake you as you trod this path.
Will you trust Him for the journey?
U.T. 