Thursday, October 12, 2006
 

Quehanna Highway across the Allegheny Plateau in north-central Pennsylvania
(Click on photo to enlarge)

(Click here to listen to this message on your audio player.)

"Set up road signs; put up guideposts. Take note of the highway, the road that you take" (Jeremiah 31:21).  "The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life" (Proverbs 16:17).

This last Saturday we drove on the Quehanna Highway through the wilderness of north-central Pennsylvania.  This beautiful highway runs along a ridge on the Allegheny Plateau with beautiful views and abundant wildlife including elk, bear and deer. The fall foliage was at its very peak and today's photo gives you some idea.

I actually had two accidents on this highway many years ago; once when I hit a deer and another time when I blew an engine climbing up the mountain from the valley to the ridge. This is a very desolate area and I had no means to communicate (we didn't have a cell phone but even now they don't work up there!) So I tried to coast backwards down the mountain but picked up speed, lost control and slammed into a guardrail that protected us from dropping down a deep ravine into a mountain stream! One of many times in life we recall God's protection.

The daily passages are not that familiar to me. As I studied for today's message I discovered them, although I'm certain that I have read them at some point in my Bible reading.  Every one of us needs to "Take note of the highway, the road that you take."  We are all on a highway.  Jesus said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" (Matthew 7:13, 14).  I want to be among those on the road that leads to life!
 
We are instructed to "Set up road signs; put up guideposts."  When I travel I appreciate periodic road signs informing me that I'm on the right highway. Even if I am familiar with the route I value guideposts that assure me that I am going the right way.  In my preaching I often comment on the phrase in Hebrews 12:1, "the race marked out for us." (The Amplified Bible states, "the appointed course of the race that is set before us.")

On the spiritual highway these road signs and guideposts are surely the directions in the Holy Scriptures, God's owner's manual for each of us. The Scriptures are an absolutely reliable map to direct us through the course of life and the highway to heaven.

Finally today I want to consider the second verse I used at the beginning. It's an easily memorized Proverb that we do well to keep before us. "The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life."


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, this journey of faith began at mile marker One which, for me as a believer, was the moment I realized the tremendous sacrifice of Jesus' death on the cross.  After I repented of my sins I began this faith journey and the milestones along the way have assured me that the route I'm on leads to eternal life.   I've rejected the philosophies and patterns of this world and followed Your roadmap that keeps me on the highway of holiness as I am ever watchful for the prowling enemy attempting to steer me off course. Though sorrow and mourning has been present on this journey, I will enter Zion rejoicing and singing as You crown me with everlasting joy!  And the marvelous blessing is that the end of this earthly journey is really only the beginning of eternal bliss!  Thank You, Jesus, for making it possible!  Amen.

We'll be gathering in the barn to the left in the photo.
(Click to enlarge)