Which Way to Zion?

They will ask the way to Zion and turn their faces toward it.  They will come and bind themselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten.  Jer. 50:5

If you could look down from the clouds and clearly see the path you had taken throughout your lifetime, would it be one big maze filled with thorns, thistles and deep pits you had dug for yourself? (Ps. 7:14-16)  Or, would the path be filled with light shining down from above which always led the way?  (I John 1:7)

I have spent a lot of time thinking about this journey of life we travel and how it seems to be a highway.  I see how that as we take this journey, we make many choices all along the way.  I can see how we must decide whether we’re going to head for Mount Zion -- the place where God lives and is worshiped (Heb. 12:22), or whether we decide to head down another path which only leads to death and destruction. (Mt. 7:13) But I love the thought that many of us are marching up to a higher place, to the mountain of our God and His House!  If you’re in that number, and I pray you are, what a grand place we’re headed.  If you’re not on that highway, I invite you to join us. 

“. . . Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,

to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways,

and we shall walk in His paths.” Is. 2:3

When we’re at the crossroads, the ancient one is the best to choose. 

This is what the Lord says:  “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”  Jer. 6:16(a)

The path is so narrow that some choose not to walk in that good way and head down another path.  The words of Jesus were “. . .  narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matt. 7:14)

There’s an old song we used to sing when I was a child that I remember well: “For it’s a highway to heaven.  None can walk up there, but the pure in heart.  For it’s a highway to heaven.  We’re walking up the King’s highway.” 

“And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness.  The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it.”  Isaiah 35:8 

We can also see that along this path, many are tempted to look on the other side of the fence and say, “Well, the grass really looks greener over there so I think I want to walk over there!” Sure enough the grass will be soft for the feet in the beginning, but soon turns into a quagmire of despair.  It doesn’t take long to see that it was only an illusion. 

Many others depend on someone else to help them find the way instead of allowing the Word of God and the Spirit to guide them.  (Rom. 8:14)  They’ll ask this one and that one to help them find the way, but soon begin to see that the one who was so knowledgeable in the beginning had led them down the wrong path.  We must be careful who we allow to lead us. 

Isaiah 30:21 tells us that “whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’ ” That voice is the Holy Spirit telling you the direction you need to go to get to Zion.  Psalm 37:23 tells us that “the steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord,” and if we’re careful where we place our feet, we will always walk on the right path.  We will not be lured by every character that isn’t really a good one to follow and really not headed to Zion anyway.  We must remember that there are those who claim to know Jesus, but really don’t know Him at all. 

We can also be lured by every false doctrine coming and going.  Steer clear of heading down that dead end street for sure!  Fortunately, we have a vast number of Scriptures pointing the way.  Proverbs 4:25-27 tells us that we’re to “let our eyes look straight ahead, to fix our gaze directly before us, make level paths for our feet, take only ways that are firm, not to swerve to the right or to the left and to keep our foot from evil.”  If all of that is accomplished, we’ll be sure to stay out of the quicksand.  

Sometimes the path can take us up a rough mountain and can be a tough one to get over, but when we hold tight to the Savior’s hand, we can make it.  He will not abandon us and will surely deliver us.  (Rom. 11:26)

Whenever we’re afraid along this path, we can always trust in God.  He will keep our feet from stumbling as we walk before Him in the light of life.  (Ps. 56:3-4, 13)  Don’t’ even think for a minute that God will not accompany us as we make our journey of life to Mount Zion.  He desires to be with us every second of every day and all through the night watches. 

Then when our journey ends and we must cross over from death into eternal life, our sweet deliverance will be ours.  We have a promise from the Lord that He will indeed be with us as we go through the waters and we do not have to fear death.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.   Is. 43:2 

Our Lord will lead us safely to our promised home and we will be free at last.  Free from every snare the enemy has set before us on the highway to Zion.  Free from every problem, worry, harm or danger.  Free, at last!  Hallelujah!  We’ll be safe in the arms of Jesus!  We will shout to God with a voice of triumph for we will have made it to Zion, our Beloved Home.  The best part will be seeing our Savior’s face for the first time and touching His nail scarred hands.  

Yes, we’re headed to the City of God, Mount Zion, the place where God lives and is worshiped!  The Home He has prepared for us and one which will be ours because of what Jesus did at Calvary.  Praise God!

May you be blessed as you march forward in faith on your way to Zion! 

"Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell."  Ps. 43:3

Precious Lord Take My Hand
Words & Music by Thomas A. Dorsey

 

Verse 1
When my way groweth drear
Precious Lord linger near
When my light is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Chorus: 
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I'm worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

 

Verse 2
When the darkness appears
And the night draweth near
And the day is almost gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home. . . .
 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come before You with love and appreciation for making a way for us as we walk the highway to Mount Zion.  You have pointed the way for us and have shown us clearly the path of life to take. Give us strength as we continue on with our journey.  When the way gets difficult, help us. When we feel weak or afraid, we will always trust in You.  I know You will be with us. In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

For additional study:

Psalm 23:3-4; Psalm 125:1, 5; Proverbs 3:5-6; Luke 1:78-79; Heb. 12:13