The Highway of Holiness

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Scripture

A highway will be there, a roadway, And it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, But it will be for him who walks that way, And fools will not wander on it.
(Isaiah 35:8 NASB)
No lion will be there, Nor will any vicious beast go up on it; These will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk there,
(Isaiah 35:9 NASB)
And the ransomed of the LORD will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion, With everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away.
(Isaiah 35:10 NASB)

 

Observation


The Highway of Holiness was the path that would lead the children of Israel back home -- the road to Jerusalem. Only those who had remained faithful to God, clean and pure would be allowed to walk on that road. The fools who had paid no attention would not be able to find the road. Even in their wanderings they wouldn't even stumble upon it. Why? Because the road was only for those who had been following God and this road was a safe road. The enemies who would attack -- both the lion and other vicious beasts would not be found there. They would not be allowed to come and attack the people of God. Only the people of God would be able to walk and sing with great joy as they made their way back home to Zion.

 

Application

The highway of holiness is already prepared for all of us. It is the road that leads us to eternal life with God our father. The problem is that too many people are out wandering and going their own direction and simply don't realize that they're not on the road! Why are they not there? Because they don't want to live a life of wholehearted devotion to God -- they are not interested in the faithfulness and purity which God demands and requires of his people.

The Christian life is a journey -- a continual journey in which we are traveling that highway of holiness. God in his very nature is holy and therefore he is calling us to come to him and walk with him on that path. However, if we are to be partakers of the divine nature -- then we too become holy and we can walk on this path. It is not by our own works that we are welcomed onto this path but by God's holiness which draws us in a direction toward him. The more that we participate in his holiness, the more that we are drawn toward him.

Sadly there are many out there wandering the wilderness thinking they're having a good time. When they are attacked by the lions or the vicious animals they tend to cry out to God and ask God why he is punishing them. He's not punishing them, or us. God has provided all that we need -- if only we would walk on the right road. However, if we make choices to stay off the road and "enjoy" the excitement of the wilderness, we must know that we will be attacked and the protection provided by the highway of holiness won't be anywhere to be found -- by our own choice.

Our calling is to walk on the highway of holiness that will lead us home! Our choice is whether we decide to jump on our not and allow the journey of holiness to be our journey.

 

Prayer


Lord, thank you for the provision of holiness for our lives. Amen.

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