“Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.” (Psalm 25:12, ESV)
A hundred years ago, a wise man once said … “I shall be telling this with a sigh, Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”
His name was Robert Frost, and he wrote and published The Road Not Taken back in 1915. The poem itself describes two roads discovered during a walk in the woods. By the time one reaches the end of the poem … it is realized that the poet is talking about something that is infinitely more important than a simple choice of two paths!
Rather than writing about paths in the woods … he is talking about paths in a person’s life! Choosing a road symbolizes any choice we must make between alternatives that might appear equally attractive … but lead to entirely different destinations.
Life places before each of us every day … young and old alike … choices to make. Some are bad … many are good … and there are those few that could be assigned in the category of the best.
The Bible offers many principles to aid us in the process of making decisions that will honor God. In the context of Psalm 25, we find the Psalmist David picturing life as a difficult journey that we can’t successfully make by ourselves. The word “way” is used four times (vv. 4, 8, 9, 12) and “paths” once (v. 10), and we find the psalmist crying out to God for wisdom as he makes decisions (vv. 4–5).
Consistent with God’s amazing love and His providing of all things “that pertain unto life and godliness” we discover that throughout the Bible in both Testaments can be found lessons and divine guidance on how to make good choices! You see … every choice counts! God instructs us to be making choices and provides us with sufficient information so that our choices will be informed ones … right ones that will meet with His approval.
In every conflict of ideas … turn first to Scripture. Ask what God says on the subject … then act upon the truth discovered. Proceeding in this way we bring God’s word to life … in our own lives!
Joshua, the great leader of Israel into the Promised Land, at the end of his faithful life in service to Jehovah, made the appeal to the nation before his death, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” The choice he gave them was between serving God or the false god, Baal. Even before the people could answer, Joshua announced his choice, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)
There is a very familiar passage in the Book of Matthew that speaks of only two ways to live our lives, and each of us must make our own choice, someone else cannot make it for us. Notice carefully the description of the two ways found in Matthew 7:13-14. Which will we choose … His way or the world’s way?
May “the Road Not Taken” be that of the world … the one Jesus described as “the broad way” which leads to certain destruction … not to Heaven! Should we choose the wrong road then we will have missed the pure joy and happiness of being with our God and all those who made the right choice. There is no clearer choice that the serious-minded can make. Quite frankly … I do not want to miss Heaven!
Two roads … Two possibilities … Two outcomes
One decision.
Which road will you take?
Bill Fairchild, Jr
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