Proverbs 15:19, Are You On The King’s Highway?

September 25, Proverbs 15:19

Isa. 35:8; 62:10-12; Heb. 11:23-40 “Fear not the lions for the lions are chained!”

Are You On The King’s Highway?

Difficulties, imagined or real, are conquered, because the way of the righteous is made plain, literally, cast up as a highway, or as in the margin, “is raised up as a causeway.” “And he (God) shall say, Cast ye up (make plain), cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling block out of the way of my people” (Isa. 57:14). This is the picture we have in today’s proverb. It is God’s Highway being made plain for the redeemed.

1. The Plain Way: The way of the righteous is the way of faith. It is not made any easier than the way of the slothful, but it is made plain. It becomes easier to tread and less rough. It is easily found and less complicated. How does this happen? The way to Canaan was through the wilderness. Where there is no way God leads His people by a right way. The way to Heaven is by the Way of the Cross, opened for sinners by the Blood of the Lamb. On this way, none can challenge the traveller. “Repentance, with her clear wet eyes, leads her children to the skies.” The righteous finds that diligent work is also rewarding work. He follows God’s commands. He believes His promises. He continues steadfastly in prayer. He waits and watches for God’s answers. He acts upon God’s word without question or delay. Willingness to do his duty makes the tasks easier and the work well done. The righteous finds that God does help those who help themselves. He walks daily by faith. The Lord goes before, and makes the darkness light, and the crooked places plain. In that childlike confidence he marches on that raised causeway. “Industrious wisdom performs what lazy foolishness deemed impossible” (Bridges).

2. The Pleasant Way: There are still thorns, but they do not present an impassable hedge. Honest labour removes them. Some thorns even pierce the flesh, but God overrules even this for blessing. “Roses fade away; thorns forever stay.” Thank God, this is not true! Sorrows do pass away as well as joys, but the Rose of Sharon never fades. He takes away the sharpness of the thorns, both in life and death. Oh! what is accomplished! Mountains moved! More strength is given with each task done. The very difficulties become the blessings of the work (2 Cor. 12:7- 9). Paul learned to bless God for his affliction, and his affliction became his greatest blessing. So it will prove for every child of God. Does not Christ sweeten our comforts, and sanctify our crosses? If God is with those that trust Him, and He is, what have they to fear or complain of? Who can be against them? Sometimes the way of the righteous is mysterious or perplexing, what then? “Fear ye not; stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord,” as did Moses (Ex. 14:13). Ask your Guide. Pray for light. Remember on the King’s Highway His protection is unfailing. All on this Way are assured that they will come to a good end. The King Himself has gone before to prepare a place for them. It will not fail or fall short for it leads to the “City which has foundations whose builder and maker is God.” Yes, it is a pleasant way, as well as a plain way.

Thought: “There are no difficulties with God” (Thomas Charles).

Prayer: Lord, remove the difficulties that exist only in my unbelieving mind.