Daily devotional, February 5, 2024 Farm-to-market roads

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." 
Psalm 16:11

Back in the days, I have witnessed the inauguration of a couple of farm to market roads. These are concrete infrastructure projects meant to help farmers get their produce easily to town. It benefits both the farmers and the community, as they get to access fresher, local produce at more reasonable prices.

As Christians, our Sovereign God is viewed as a Waymaker. He made a way for all of us to be saved amid the rough terrain of our wayward pasts and one too many wrong turns. Our Lord Jesus Christ, designated Himself as the sacrificial bridge to our Heavenly Father, as long as we surrender our lives to Him and keep His words.

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

So when we are troubled, how does God make a way for us? Well, He promises to make a way for His people. In the Book of Exodus, the Lord showed His power and might by parting the Red Sea so that the Israelites can leave Egypt.

"Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground." 
Exodus 14:15-16

Sometimes though, we may not understand why the Lord takes us to a path different from what we think is right for us. Still in the Book of Exodus, the Lord deliberately guided the Israelites to a longer route so that they could avoid more troubles, and would not think of going back from where they came from because of fear. The farther route also prepared the Israelites from the challenges they will meet ahead. That is how it is for us too. The paths He wants us to take is the best for us.:

"When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” 
Exodus 13:17

When we are lost in our sins and own waywardness, our Mighty God makes a way to redeem and renew us. In the Book of Isaiah, our Heavenly Father encourages us to move forward, and forget about the things that we have been regretting and focus on our new life with Him:

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." 
Isaiah 43:18-19

And this assurance echoes as well in the early Christian Church. In His letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul the Apostle promises a way to a new life for people who want to get off their wayward path, and follow Jesus:

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

Whenever we are tempted to sin again, and revert to our old ways, our Great Waymaker is also ready to give respite and offer us the choice to remain set apart for Him:

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

1 Corinthians 10:13

So as recipients of His mercy and grace, we should also take it upon ourselves to  be a highway of God’s blessing and loving mercy to others. We can do this by:

1. Sharing our time, talent and treasure with others.

2. Volunteer in church work especially in activities that spread the gospel to unreached individuals.

3. Take it upon ourselves to introduce Jesus to our family, friends, and people in our social circles. Treat them to coffee, snack, or lunch individually and then invite them to church, to a bible study, or simply share the gospel to them.

4. Give someone who has hurt you before or someone you do not really like to mingle with, but is part of your social circle, the chance to get to know Jesus Christ. Strike up a conversation about the Lord’s saving grace with them, and do not deprive them of the chance to seek God’s mercy and forgiveness. You may not want to see them in heaven, but God will be happy to see them repent and save them just like what He did to you!

5. Try your best to be merciful to others who may have offended or hurt you. Forgive them just as you have been forgiven by the Lord. 

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Exodus 13:17-22, 14:13-18 and John 14:1-14 to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question: How has God made a way for you when your troubles have pushed you against the wall?

Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for being my Waymaker. For making it possible for me to go through life’s challenges with victory in You. Thank you for making a way to save me. Give me the loving heart to be a highway of your mercy and blessing to others too. Amen.