The Old Redemption Road

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:1-2 KJV

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The Bible is full of stories of men, women, and children who faced difficult circumstances with courage and resilience. Everyday people, who overcame incredible obstacles, through the miraculous workings of God. We draw strength from their examples— giving us courage to fight our own battles when we are feeling down-hearted, discouraged, and weak.

Take for instance Job, who lost everything but still retained his faith in God. Afterwards, God gave him more than he had before and blessed him with the same number of sons and daughters.

David, called a man after God’s own heart, fought and killed the giant Goliath with a pebble and a sling. Later when he became king, he sinned grievously. However, despite grave consequences, God granted him mercy. It was his willingness to acknowledge and repent of his sins, which made Him someone whom God loved.

Daniel and his three friends faced severe trials and temptations while in captivity in Babylon, yet God gave them strength to endure and be faithful. God sent an angel to seal the lions’ mouths, and his presence to stand with them in the fiery furnace.

Jacob stole his brother’s birthright, and deceived his father, but somehow God still blessed him. Later in life he wrestled with an angel of God all night, demanding a blessing of him. From then on, his name was changed to Israel, and he went on to be the father of the Jewish race.

There are many more stories from the Bible of men and women who sinned, but God loved them despite their human weakness and gave them grace to repent. It is their very humanness that draws us to their stories for inspiration. I picture them as a throng of imperfect people on the path that leads to heaven, walking and walking. This journey starts at the beginning of time with the patriarchs of old—through the Old and New Testaments—where the apostles and early church fathers joined that throng on the way to the pearly gates. As time has continued, millions of others from then till now have forsaken all to join that way. This includes my family, my grandparents, parents, and now my children and I—all walking that road to the celestial city. Our congregation is on that road, each one having heeded the call of God, joined that throng—walking with their backs to the world and faces reflecting the shining light of the Son of God. ­

In my mind, I visualize the river that Ezekiel talks about which came out from under the right-hand side of the door of the temple of God. It began as a small stream, but soon became a deep and mighty river, flowing to the sea. In the vision, this stream was a river of life, with many fish living in her waters, and trees growing along her banks. It sustained life—carrying food and nutrients for plants and the creatures living within her. This provided meat for those who fished from her banks, and the water of life and healing for all that came and partook of her bounty.

 This river represents the water of life which flows from God to all men everywhere, through all time, providing hope, healing, and forgiveness of sin. It is the love and grace of God. The story of redemption through the blood of His own precious Son. It is life for all who step into its cleansing stream, becoming partakers of His holiness. See Ezekiel 47:1-12 also Revelation 22:1-2.

This account provides us with a parallel example of the old redemption road. That old redemption road provides everything that the travelers need to make it safely into heaven’s door. It started with a faithful few who partook of the water of life. As time progressed, more and more committed themselves wholly to God and entered that road. If we could visually see it from the beginning of time till now, we would observe a very large crowd all walking, walking to glory. Some are walking straight and tall; others are bent from years of care. There are the young, the very old, and all those in between, walking the road that is as old as time itself. And as they walk, they talk about the past, the present, and what they will find at the end of the journey. From time to time one or two may fall by the way—or turn away, taking their own road. Then those who are still on the road give encouragement or advice—warning fellow travelers of the dangers of taking a separate way. Someone falls beneath a heavy load, and those around him or her stop, pick them up, and help carry their burden.

The sides of that road are full of personal items which have been discarded—forgotten by those who left them behind. Old packs of fears, cares, and worries. Items that pertain to pride and self-love. Things that are no longer needed for their journey or became too heavy to bear. It is not like they create an ugly landscape, no, more like markers along the way that reflect the beauty of a surrendered heart—bearing testimony of those who have gone before.

It gives me courage to know that by God’s grace, I am also one of that line of heaven bound pilgrims. I am not better or worse than anyone else on that road. Moses walked this road, as did Abraham, David, Samuel, Elijah, and Elisha. The spies—Joshua and Caleb—Rahab the harlot who hid the spies, Ruth the Moabite (later the wife of Boaz and great-grandmother of King David), Peter, James, John, and the rest of the apostles; Saul, turned Paul (formerly a persecutor of the church); the martyr brethren; and now me, us, my family, our congregation—young and old, rich and poor—all walking that same road.

The requirements to walk that road have not changed. She is occupied by a group of people from all walks of life, who have surrendered their whole lives to God to gain heavenly riches.

One day, that long line of people will walk through heaven’s gates to live forever in perfect peace and happiness. There will be laughing and singing—praising God. We will see Adam and Eve, our first earthly parents, and most of all Jesus, the Lamb of God, who died for all of us. Won’t that be a wonderful day? Can you hardly wait? For the most part we enjoy life, but what a day that will be to lay aside all the cares, pain, and sadness of this old world, and live in peace forever and ever.

What a day that will be!

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8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. 9 No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: 10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.  Isaiah 35:8-10 KJV